? The second type of the Elizabeth II Sixpence series was issued between 1955 and 1963. The obverse of this new type features a modified legend which reads - 'ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F:D' . The legend was modified to include 'F:D' which had been removed from British coins following the death of King George VI. The removal had attracted substantial controversy with groups including 'The United Protestant's Association' and a number of Australian Bishops leading protests ...
? King Edward VII ascended to the British throne in 1901 but it was not until 1902 that sovereigns were struck bearing his bust. Sovereigns were struck at all Australian branches of the Royal mint throughout his reign up until his death in 1910. Mintages throughout the period were generally high but a combination of the rough handling process at the mint and between banks, and the natural softness of gold, ensured that higher mint state examples have become virtually ...
The George V threepence series, lasting throughout George V's reign from 1911 to 1936, features the Australian coat of arms with ADVANCE AUSTRALIA across the scroll on the reverse, THREEPENCE up the top, and the year of issue down the bottom. The obverse features the crowned bust of King George V facing to the left and the legend, GEORGIVS V D.G. BRITT : OMN : REX F. D. IND : IMP . Like most George V series, this a very popular series to collect. In lower grade, all dates can be acquired ...
? Struck along side the Perth mint half penny and penny, and the threepence, the 1964 penny is the last pre-decimal coin to be struck in Australia. With 10 million pieces struck to serve just two years of circulation, numerous unused bank rolls of 1964 pennies have surfaced making the coin very common in mint state . Sourcing the date with full mint brilliance can be quite easy although the date does pose quite a challenge if desired in MS65 and is very rare in MS66.
? Following the discovery of gold in Sydney, sovereigns were minted at the Sydney Mint from 1855 and continued until 1916. Prior to the discovery of gold, Australian colonies were reliant upon coins minted in Great Britain as these were the only coins recognised as having legal tender status . The 1850s Gold Rush affected not only the mintage of coins but also sudden population growth, particularly in Victoria. In turn, this demanded sudden developments in government administration ...