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History of the Australian Commonwealth Theepence Coin

The threepence is the smallest of all the commonwealth coins. Until 1945 it was minted from sterling silver. Like most silver coins, from 1946 on quad alloy was used. The threepence was minted between the years 1910 and 1964. The first coins were minted in London but from 1916 on most were produced at the Melbourne mint. From 1924-1926 some threepences were also struck in the Sydney mint. During the second world war an increased demand for coinage resulted in some threepence coins being produced in the Denver and San Francisco mints. In 1951 the London Royal Mint struck around 40 million coins.

Example Values of the Australian Threepence

The following prices are for some of the most sought after examples of threepence coins. Coins minted in other years are also of value, those listed below are simply the “cream of the crop”. These prices are only a guide to possible marketplace values. There will be fluctuations in the actual marketplace. Prices will also vary depending on the condition of the coin. All values are listed in Australian dollars. For more up-to-date information on coin values, please visit the Australian Rare Coin Ready Reckoner.

*1922/1 overdate coins. Only 800 thought to exist.
**1934/3 overdate coins.

Rare Australian Coins – Brief History of the Penny

The first bronze (“copper”) penny coins to appear in Australia were minted in 1911. Up until 1918 these coins were minted in London, Birmingham and Calcutta. From 1919 the coins were produced in Australian mints in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Sydney production ceased in 1926. Nine different master dies were used for both the obverse and reverse sides of the coins and often different combinations of dies were used in the same year. Production of pennies ended in 1964.

The most valued example of the penny is the 1930. No coins were ordered for production in 1930 however it is believed some experimental work was done to produce better pennies. The good coins produced from the experiment were released with the 1931 coins. It is unknown how many 1930 coins were actually produced but there is believed to be some 1500 coins still in existence today. The fame associated with this coin is responsible for it’s high value.

Some rare examples of the penny include

• the 1920 variety made using the London obverse die with a dot over the lower scroll, only three coins are known to exist.

• 1931 penny with Calcutta obverse and London reverse, known as “Indian die, dropped one variety”. Only 20 specimens known to exist

• 1930 penny struck with the London obverse. Only 2 authenticated but more are known to exist.

Example Values of the Penny

The following prices are for some of the most sought after penny coins. Coins minted in other years are also of value, those listed below are simply the “cream of the crop”. These prices are only a guide to possible marketplace values. There will be fluctuations in the actual marketplace. Prices will also vary depending on the condition of the coin. Some years show a range of values due to a number of variations in dies being used in that year. All values are listed in Australian dollars. For more up-to-date information on coin values, please visit the Australian Rare Coin Ready Reckoner.

Rare Australian Coins – A Brief History of the Halfpenny

Australian bronze (copper) coins first appeared in 1911. These earliest coins were minted in London, Birmingham and Calcutta. Australian production of halfpenny coins began in 1919 in the Sydney and soon after, the Melbourne mints. From 1942 the Perth mint became the major producer of halfpennies although in some years coins were also produced in Melbourne, Bombay or London. The last halfpenny coins were struck in 1964.

One of the more valuable examples of the halfpenny is the 1923 coin. Most of the 1923 coins were struck with the 1922 date. Only around 1500 of the actual 1923 variety were produced, with the number still in existence today being much smaller.

Some collectors like to specialise in error varieties. A notable example is the 1916 halfpenny “mule”. This coin was produced in the Calcutta mint using the wrong obverse die. The die used is that of the Indian quarter anna coin. It’s believed that around 250 of these coins were struck. Only 5-7 have been found and identified.

Some Example Values of Halfpenny Coins

The following prices are for some of the most sought after halfpenny coins. Coins minted in other years are also of value, those listed below are simply the “cream of the crop”. These prices are only a guide to possible marketplace values. There will be fluctuations in the actual marketplace. Prices will also vary depending on variations and condition of the coin. All values are listed in Australian dollars. For more up-to-date information on coin values, please visit the Australian Rare Coin Ready Reckoner.

History of Mother’s Day

Although the dates may vary, most countries around the world have a special day of the year for a celebration of motherhood. In the United Kingdom the day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, three weeks before Easter Sunday, and may also be known as Mothering Day. Most westernised countries celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May. Other countries may use a different day, depending on local traditions.

In the UK, the practice is believed to have Christian origins and started in the 16^th century. It was a day chosen for all Christians to visit their mother church, which resulted in families being reunited with their mothers annually. It’s believed many apprentices and servants were released for the weekend to have time for visiting families.

In the United States, the day is believed to have it’s origins after the American Civil War. Julia Ward Howe wrote the “Mothers Day Proclamation” as a call for peace and unity for women against war. However Ward failed in her attempt for formal recognition of a Mother’s Day for Peace. In 1907, Anna Jarvis began her crusade for a formal day in recognition of women, with the first such day being held in the state of Virginia on the 10^th May, 1908. From there, the custom caught on and quickly spread to the states and then to other western countries. In much of the world this special day for women has become heavily commercialised.

Gift Ideas For Mother’s Day

In recent times, Mother’s Day has become a time for pampering the family matriarch. Breakfast in bed is a common practice followed by gift giving. Common gift ideas include flowers, chocolates, jewellery and perfumes. Some other gift suggestions are as follows

• a gift hamper, put the hamper together yourself for a more personal touch

• fashion accessories, such as handbags, scarves or shoes

• scented candles or incense

• a special experience such as a balloon flight, bungee jumping or skydiving

• a visit to a spa or beauty salon

• appliances

• a professional massage

Whatever gift or method of celebrating is chosen, most of us only have one mother. This is their special day, make it one to remember

Rare Australian Coin Values – florin and crown

Australian florin coins were minted between the years of 1910 and 1963. The crown was minted only in 1937 and 1938. The currency system used in this period was based on the British pound, using pounds shillings and pence. The coin demoninations were the halfpenny, penny, threepence, sixpence, the shilling, the florin (two shillings), and the crown (5 shillings). The crown was only minted in the years 1937-1938.

The following prices are for some of the most sought after examples of florins and crowns. Coins minted in other years are also of value, those listed below are simply the “cream of the crop”. These prices are only a guide to possible marketplace values. There will be fluctuations in the actual marketplace. Prices will also vary depending on the condition of the coin. All values are listed in Australian dollars. For more up-to-date information on coin values, please visit the Australian Rare Coin Ready Reckoner.

Florins

Crowns