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Young Head Melbourne Mint (1881 - 1887)
This was the typical die design used by the Melbourne mint during the final run of the Young Head series, distinguishable by a crenulated reverse much like the Sydney mint Type VIII, most likely prepared from the same master die as the Melbourne mint produced the dies for Sydney, and was minted from 1881 to 1887 excluding the year 1883. The type is available in mint state with several premium examples from the Ballarat hoard turning up in 1978, most of which were dated 1882. The scarcest date in the series is the 1885 Melbourne or perhaps the 1881 Melbourne, coming from tiny mintages of 11,003 and 42,009 respectively, though excluding the 1882 Melbourne, most other dates are also extremely scarce and very difficult to acquire especially if sought in better condition.
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