Southern Rhodesia 1938 1/2 penny

from Steve Album sale 45, lot 1624

This specimen was lot 1624 in Stephen Album sale 45 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2023), where it sold for $2,280. The catalog description^[1] noted, "SOUTHERN RHODESIA: George VI, 1936-1952, ½ penny, 1938, a very rare fantastic quality proof issue! PCGS graded Proof 66." Rhodesia, named after diamond magnate Cecil Rhodes, was created a self-governing colony of Britain in 1923. Coinage commenced in 1932. The half penny was introduced in 1934 and struck intermittently until 1954. This type was struck 1938-39 and was superseded by a bronze type (KM 14a). The hole served two purposes: one, to prevent confusion with a higher denomination coin; two, to prevent natives from drilling their own holes when stringing them on necklaces.

Recorded mintage: 240,000 plus proofs.

Specification: copper-nickel.

Catalog reference: KM-14.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 45, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2022.

Link to:

• 1937 penny
• 1937 3 pence
• 1937 6 pence
• 1937 shilling
• 1937 2 shillings
• 1937 ½ crown
• Australia 1938 half penny
• Great Britain 1938 half penny
• South Africa 1938 1/2 penny
• 1942 half penny
• Coins and currency dated 1938