Australia 1938 florin
The first specimen was lot 4491 in Goldberg sale 69 (Los Angeles, May, 2012), where it sold for $63.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "Australia. Florin, 1938. George VI. NGC graded MS-63." The second specimen was part of lot 52004 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), which sold for $26,400. The catalog description[2] noted, "AUSTRALIA. Proof Set (6 Pieces), 1938. Melbourne Mint. George VI. All NGC Certified. 1) 1/2 Penny. NGC Proof-64 Red Brown. KM-35. The Sole Finest Certified by NGC. 2) Penny. NGC Proof-66 Red Brown. KM-36. The Sole Finest Certified by NGC. 3) 3 Pence NGC Proof-65. KM-37. The Second Finest Certified by NGC. 4) 6 Pence NGC Proof-65.. The Sole Finest Certified by NGC. 5) Shilling NGC Proof-65. KM-39. The Second Finest Certified by NGC. 6) Florin NGC Proof-64. The Second Finest Certified by NGC. KM-PS14 (as a set). Mintage: 250. An always demanded set from the Australian coinage series, pieces from the 1938 set are RARE individually, and much more so when offered as a whole. In addition, the coins that make up this set are stunningly beautiful, with them all either being the finest or second finest certified by NGC. A truly special offering, and one that every collector of Australian coins should jump at." This type is listed for 1938-45, after which the fineness was lowered to .500. This date is slightly scarce but not rare like the 1939. Some of the World War Two issues were struck at the San Francisco mint. Australia converted to the dollar in 1966.
Recorded mintage: 2,990,000 plus a few proofs.
Specification: 11.31 g, 0.925 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 40.
- McDonald, Greg, The Pocket Guide to Australian Coins and Banknotes, 23rd ed., Lavington, Australia, 2017.
- Pitt, Michael, Renniks Australian Coin and Banknote Values, 32nd Edition, Matraville, New South Wales, Australia: Renniks Publications, 2023.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Goldberg, Ira, Larry Goldberg, Stephen Harvey and Paul Rynearson, Goldberg sale 69: the Pre-Long Beach Auction, Ancient and World Coins, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2012.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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