Australia 1947(p) penny
This specimen was lot 24105 in Heritage sale 3032 (Chicago, April 2014), where it sold for $31,725. The catalog description[1] noted, "A Rare Public Offering--George VI Proof Penny 1947-(P), Perth mint, PR65 Brown PCGS. An impressive Gem - free of all visible post-strike handling with muted red coloration that suggests long-term box or envelope storage. The surfaces, largely of gleaming quality, easily distinguish themselves from business strikes of the period. Unlike the majority of business strikes, the strike confidently renders the edges, displaying bold denticles and rims that are sharply squared off. Even so, slight planchet chatter remains on the highpoints, perhaps indicative of their relative unfamiliarity with the proofing processes." The SCWC does not record why proofs are so rare for this date, which is common in circulated condition. The type was issued 1938-48 from Bombay, Perth and Melbourne.
Sterling coinage was struck for several countries besides Great Britain, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, Fiji and New Guinea. All converted to decimal coinage in the 1960's.
Recorded mintage: 4,490,000 plus proofs plus 6,864,000 from Melbourne.
Specification: 9.4 g, bronze, 30.8 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 36.
- 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3032, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
Link to: