Essentials For The Rare Coin Collector

Some Australian Rare Coin Collecting Articles

The Australian Halfpenny

Australian bronze (copper) coins first appeared in 1911. These earliest coins were minted in London, Birmingham and Calcutta. production of halfpenny coins began in 1919 in the Sydney and soon after, the Melbourne mints. From 1942 the Perth mint became the major producer of halfpennies although in some years coins were also produced in Melbourne, Bombay or London.

The Australian Penny

The first bronze ("copper") penny coins to appear in Australia were minted in 1911. Up until 1918 these coins were minted in London, Birmingham and Calcutta. From 1919 the coins were produced in Australian mints in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Sydney production ceased in 1926.

The Australian Threepence

The threepence is the smallest of all the commonwealth coins. Until 1945 it was minted from sterling silver. Like most silver coins, from 1946 on quad alloy was used. The threepence was minted between the years 1910 and 1964. The first coins were minted in London but from 1916 on most were produced at the Melbourne mint.

The Australian Shilling

Australian shilling coins were minted between the years of 1910 and 1963. The currency system used in this period was based on the British pound, using pounds shillings and pence.

The Australian Sovereign

Sovereign coins have been minted since the time of Henry II in 1429. In Australia these coins were struck between the years of 1855 and 1931. Unlike other coins, no value is imprinted on the sovereign. Although the coins represent one pound in value, they term "sovereign" is more commonly used