Australia 1938 6 pence
This specimen was part of lot 52004 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), which sold for $26,400. The catalog description[1] 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. 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 was struck for Australia 1938-45. The 1943-D is the most common date but the 1938 is a slightly better date. The proofs are rare. The sixpence was reduced to 0.500 fine for 1946-63. In 1966, Australia converted to the dollar and silver was no longer coined for circulation.
Recorded mintage: 2,864,000 plus 250 proofs.
Specification: 2.82 g, 0.925 fine silver, 19.4 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 38, KM-PS14 (as a set).
- 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]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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