Australia 1954(p) half penny
This specimen was lot 32362 in Heritage Sale 3115 (Chicago, May 2024), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "Australia: Elizabeth II Proof 1/2 Penny 1954-(p) PR62 Brown PCGS, Perth mint. An evasive Proof type from the very beginning of Queen Elizabeth's long reign, darkly toned but with attractive multi-color undercurrents. The first of its kind our firm will have had the pleasure to bring to auction." The SCWC does not record why proofs are so rare for this date, which is otherwise common. The type was issued 1953-55 from Perth. In 1956, the obverse was modified to change the queen's titles.
Recorded mintage: 21,963,000 + a few proofs.
Specification: 5.67 g, bronze, 25.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 49.
- McDonald, Greg, The Pocket Guide to Australian Coins and Banknotes, 23rd ed., Lavington, Australia, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2024 May 8 - 10 CSNS World Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction #3115, featuring the Ezen Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2024.
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