The Australian Coin Collecting Blog

Australian Dollar Coins – 1994 Dollar Decade

Posted on June 14, 2009 by kdh

Australia 1994 $1 Dollar Decade Dollar

It is perhaps appropriate that in the same year that the Australian dollar coin turns 25 that I do a quick entry on the coin celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the dollar coin. In 1994 the Royal Australian Mint released the ‘dollar decade’ dollar coin onto the collector coin market. While not released into general circulation it was struck in Aluminium Bronze with the C, S, and M mintmarks. Mintages for each of the mintmarks were 105,090 for the C mintmark, 74,474 for the S, and 79,256 for the M. It was also struck in silver with continuous reeding (5001 mintage) and in silver with the normal interrupted reeding (20,002 mintage). The coin struck from silver with the continuous reeding (struck for the NAA Coin Fair in 1994) is the key coin to get here, with a low mintage and a CV in 2009 of over $100. The other coins are fairly common and not too pricey.

Seen above the obverse of the coin depicts the Raphael Maklouf portrait of Queen Elizabeth. The reverse of the coin is by Vladimir Gottwald. The reverse image is a quite smart image of the old Australian $1 note morphing and merging into the ubiquitous mob of roos dollar coin. Viewed under magnification there is a remarkable amount of detail in the engraving of the coin and dollar notes on the reverse, it is a truly attractive reverse.

Posted in Collecting Coins

Rotated Double Struck Coin Error

Posted on June 9, 2009 by kdh

Australian 19?? Half Penny – Rotated Double Strike

Previously we talked about double struck coins errors but this entry largely covered double struck coins where the coin had been struck once and then partially left the coining chamber before being struck again. This results in two clearly visible strikes to the coin, with one partially overlapping the other.

There is a slightly different class of double struck coin known as the rotated double struck coin which we’ll speak about here.

The rotated double strike error occurs when a coin is struck and is ejected from the coining chamber but the struck coin falls back into the press. It is then struck again (within the collar) but the coin had rotated slightly so the result is two strikes to the coin that are rotated with respect to each other.

Above you can see an Australian half penny of indeterminate year that has been struck twice. You can see the results of the first strike clearly, with the second portrait visible at about 45 degrees to the correctly oriented portrait. You can also see a second kangaroos tail at 45 degrees to the first on the reverse of the coin. It appears that this coin rotated about 45 degrees counter clockwise (viewed from the obverse) when it was struck the second time. The second two figures of the date in both strikes has been obliterated by the other strike so it’s impossible to say what year this coin is dated.

Australian 1964 Penny – Rotated Double Strike

Above is another rotated double strike. This time it is an Australian 1964 Penny. This coin has rotated nearly 90 degrees clockwise (viewed from the obverse) after the first strike. You can see this clearly on the reverse with the first set of kangaroo front legs emerging from the hind legs of the second strike. It’s not entirely clear in the image but you can also see the ribbon on the back of HM’s hair from the first strike in the middle of HM’s head from the second strike.

The coin below, again a 1964 penny rotated only a small amount and is clearly seen with a second date below on the reverse, another A at the end of AUSTRALIA and a multiple forehead on the Queen.

Another 1964m Penny Double Strike

Posted in Error Coins

Off-Centre Coin Errors

Posted on May 31, 2009 by kdh

We’ve spoken before about broadstrike error coins. There can be varying degrees of a broadstruck coin and as the size of the error increases and there begins to be missing elements of the coin then it becomes an off center strike. These off centre strikes are probably the most common and well known of errors as they are often very obvious and can be very spectacular errors.

Australian Threepence Off Centre Error

The off center coin error is a massive variation on the out of collar error. In this case the blank is not fed into the press properly and lands in the collar incorrectly. For the off center strike only part of the blank is struck by the upper and lower dies. This results in only part of the design being struck on the coin and a coin that is not it’s usual round shape. Because of their unusual shape they are commonly picked up before they leave the mint or in rolling machines by security companies. They are most often explained as their % amount off centre.

This kind of coin error is worth a lot, many selling for hundreds if not thousands of dollars in high grade.

Australia $1 1985-1991 Mob of Roos Off Centre Error

Posted in Error Coins

Out of Collar or Partial Collar Coin Errors

Posted on May 7, 2009 by kdh

There are 3 different dies that strike a coin blank to make a coin. The obverse (heads) side, the reverse (tails) side and the collar die. The reverse die usually on the bottom is recessed below the collar. The collar die may seem insignificant but it is extremely important part of getting the strike correct and centered on the coin. The collar die holds the planchet so the two other dies can strike and effect the design on the coin precisely. The collar die also adds edge milling or reeding to some coins.

Occasionally during striking the blank doesn’t fall correctly into place. If there is a malfunction of the press particularly with the collar die or how the coin is held in place by the collar then you can end up with a whole range of errors or effects.

Straight Partial Collar
A straight partial collar occurs when the coin planchet falls into the chamber to be struck but is squarely disengaged from the collar die. The coin blank isn’t sitting correctly in the chamber so when it is struck the result is a semi struck edge but the same all the way around the coin edge.

Australia 2007 $2 Straight Partial Collar Error

Tilted Partial Collar
A tilted partial collar occurs the same as the straight partial collar but the coin is only partially out of the collar. This results in a line around the outside edge of the coin but this is on an angle possibly higher on one side than the other. This can often result in a slightly higher edge on one side of the coin which may also give the impression or a double or extended rim on the coin. This is quite often confused with a mule coin. You can refresh your memory on what a real mule coin is in our post about the $1/10c mule. For a coin with milling on its edge it is easy to see the effect of the collar only being partially engaged. A coin with a plain edge is slightly different. It may show signs of a “railroad” rim which resembles an edge like railroad track.

Australia 2000 20 Cent Tilted Partial Collar Error

Out of Collar
Affectionately termed the “pancake” this coin resembles a coin that looks as if it has been flattened in a press. If this was the case then the designs would be flattened also. You can imagine the coin being fed into the chamber but that crucial third collar die not engaging, the resulting strike pressure would force the metal outwards and if not contained by the collar would result in an out of collar strike. This coin would have a wider diameter than a standard coin.

1956 Florin Out of Collar Error

Posted in Error Coins

2000 Incuse Flag Millennium 50 Cent Variety

Posted on May 2, 2009 by msn

Year 2000 Incuse Milennium 50 Cent

In the year 2000 the Royal Australian mint released a commemorative 50 cent coin into circulation celebrating the the dawn of the new millennium. This coin had the standard Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, and the reverse had a new design by Vladimir Gottwald. Seen above the reverse comprises a stylized Australian flag with the large legend “Millennium Year” and “50 Cents”. For those who don’t know, the Australian flag consists of the Union Jack in the top left, the 7 pointed federation star below, and the constellation ‘The Southern Cross’ to the right. With a mintage of nearly 17 million the Millennium 50 cent is hardly a scarce coin.

In a previous entry on the value of 50 cent coins I made mention of a variety of the Millennium 50 cent called the ‘incuse millennium’. This is a scarce die variety of the coin, with only around 200,000 manufactured. It is well worth looking out for in your change as they can still be found, and they are worth $20-30 in average circulated condition. Identifying the Incuse Flag Millennium is fairly simple, I’ve highlighted the areas of interest in the image above. Following is a list of identifiers to look out for:

The crosses of the Union Jack are incuse on the Incuse Millennium rather than in relief (raised) in the standard Millennium 50 cent.
The Federation Star (under the Union Jack) is slightly larger and has a smooth field on the Incuse Millennium. The standard Millennium 50 cent has a rougher field on the Federation Star and the star is slightly smaller.

It’s an easy variety to spot, and if you see a Millennium 50 cent in your change it’s worth taking a closer look at it, you could be about to spend a coin worth $20!

Click image to enlarge

The incuse variety was originally intended for coins used in Mint Sets and the Royal Australian Mint manufactured just one die with the flag variation. That decision was later overturned and the die used for one production run of coins for circulation -approximately 200,000 coins.

From an error collectors point of view it’s worth discussing fraudulent use of this coin in it’s proof state. The proof version of the millennium 50 cent only found in 2000 proof sets feature a coloured Australian Flag. Occasionally these have been removed from sets and exposed to acid or some sort of solvent to remove the colouring from the surface. This will leave a blank open field where the Australian Flag should be and remove the polished surfaces of the proof coin making it look like a circulation issue and not a proof. Attempts can then be made to pass off these coins as error coins with buyers potentially paying hundreds of dollars for these man-made fakes. Beware!

Posted in Collecting Coins, Error Coins

Australian 20 Cent Coins Value Part 1

Posted on April 15, 2009 by msn

Australian 2008 20 cent Platypus Reverse

Aside from the Australian 50 cent and $1 coins the 20 cent is the only other circulation coin that you will find with a different reverse to the standard issue*. The obverse of the 20c has the usual portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the Arnold Machin portrait from 1966 to 1984, the Raphael Maklouf portrait from 1985 to 1998, and the Ian Rank-Broadley from 1999 to present. The reverse of the standard issue pictures a swimming platypus designed by Stuart Devlin.

Like the values of Australian 50 cent coins the values of Australian 20 cent coins is largely dependent on the condition of the coin. Very few coins you might find in circulation will be worth anything more than 20 cents. I’ll take a look at the standard issues before I cover the rarer varieties you could keep an eye out for.

The Australian 20 cent was only produced with the standard platypus reverse until 1995 when a smallish issue of 4.8 million coins was issued with a reverse commemorating the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. In 2001 another issue was released commemorating the life of Don Bradman. 2001 was also the Centenary of Australian Federation and nine 20 cent coins with different reverses were released celebrating this. Coins were released for New South Wales, the ACT, Queensland, Victoria, Norfolk Island, the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. Most of these coins had an issue of 2 million coins, for some reason the Queensland and South Australian coins had a mintage of 2.3 million. Interestingly the reverse designs of the coins were the result of student design competitions in the schools of the respective states and territories of each coin.

2003 saw the release of a 20 cent celebrating the Year of the Volunteer (7.5 million minted), and 2005 a coin commemorating the 60th anniversary of World War II (32 million minted). In 2007, for the first time, there was a unique 20c issued in the uncirculated mint set (the Year of the Lifesaver), the same coin was also issued in a PNC. 2008 saw the cynical release of the two coin uncirculated coin sets by the RAM in addition to the normal uncirculated coin sets. This two coin set contains a unique 20 cent (the Year of Planet Earth) and the exercise was continued in 2009 with the Year of Astronomy 20 cent in the uncirculated two coin set.

Of the commemorative 20 cent coins mentioned above the United Nations, Bradman, and Centenary of Federation coins, if found in circulation may fetch a dollar or two each on Ebay. Truly uncirculated examples will get a dollar or two more. Catalogue values for each of these coins is only $6-$7 in uncirculated condition. The 2003 Volunteers and 2005 World War II 20 cent are worth face value, this is despite of how infrequently they show up in your pocket change. The mint set only coins, will very rarely (if ever) be found in circulation. The only real way of getting them is by getting a mint set and cutting them out of the set. Sometimes you’ll see individual coins available on Ebay because some people break up the mint sets to sell the coins and try to make a profit. Expect to pay $10-15 for one of them, and to receive about the same amount if you sell one.

In the next part of this entry I’ll cover some rare varieties of the 20 cent you can look out for in your pocket change that are worth a tidy sum.

*At the time of writing. Update July 2013. There have now been $2 coins with commemorative reverse designs issued.

1966 Wavy Baseline 20 cent

Posted on April 13, 2009 by msn

1966 Wavy Baseline 20 cent PCGS MS64

If you find an Australian 1966 20 cent piece in your change then you’d better take a second look. Did you know that a particular variety of the 1966 20 cent coin could be worth $100 or more!

In 1966 the 20 cent piece was minted in 2 different locations. About half of those coins were minted in Canberra and half in London at the Royal Mint in Birmingham. Of the 30 million coins minted in London just one of the dies that were used to press those coins was different. There was a small difference that makes this coin unique and worth a great deal more.

The oddity is that one die had a small differing feature. This variety is in the base of the 2 of the 20 on the reverse of the coin. There is an upward curve in that baseline of the 2 often called a wave, thus the nickname the ‘wavy 20’ or ‘wavy baseline 20 cent’. You can clearly see the differences in the “Wavy 20” and the regular 20 cent coin in the image below. The coin on the left has a distinct wave on the top of the baseline of the two. You’ll also note a corresponding indentation in the water swirl above the wave. By comparison the normal reverse 20 cent has no wave in either the base of the 2 or the water above the baseline.

Wavy Baseline (Left), Regular Coin (Right)

Beware there are many forgeries around mimicking this wave often derived from some sort of heat treatment of the metal. A genuine wavy 20 has a gentle curve that is paralleled in the water swirl directly above.

A high grade example of one of these varieties is worth $3000-$5000 whilst a banged up coin you might find in your change might be worth $100-$200.

Posted in Australian Decimal Changeover, Collecting Coins

Slang Terms for Money

Posted on April 9, 2009 by kdh

It’s interesting that decimal currency hasn’t brought abbreviation of our coins and notes like there was with pre-decimal money that I found out when I dived into some in depth research into slang monetary terms. It’s interesting and amusing how some of these slang terms came about and even with the differing countries how their slang is just like a foreign language to us. These are just some of the Aussie slang terms, there are more and interesting terms used in other countries derived from their histories and cultures.

Do you remember slang terms used for monies in days of old?
Threepence: tray or trey bit or trey, comes from the french tre meaning three.
Sixpence: zac or tanner.
Shilling: bob or deener or dina.
Florin: two bob or swy.
1937 or 1938 crown: casey’s cartwheel -named after the treasurer of the time Lord Casey who proposed the coin.
Ten shillings: half-fidly
Pound: quid or fiddly-did derived from word association fidly->fid->quid.
Five pounds: spin
Ten pounds: brick.

Slang term for the first Australian pre-decimal notes when Fisher was the Prime Minister: Fisher’s flimsies
Pre-decimal notes with Miller as one of the signatories: Miller flimsies

One dollar coin or note: buck.
$20 note – lobster or red-back

Even the term heads and tails is a slang term. The general population probably wouldn’t recognise the tails side as the reverse and the heads side as the obverse of coins.

Posted in Collecting Coins

Australian $200 Gold Koala Coins

Posted on March 24, 2009 by msn

Australia 1983 Koala 200 Dollar Gold Coin

Shown above is the 1983 $200 coin from Australia, struck to proof standard. These $200 gold koala coins were minted from 10.0 grams of 0.9167 fine gold (22 carat) which converts to 0.2948 ounces of gold. At the time of writing the gold content of this coin was worth about US$274 but you can check todays value using our Gold Coin Calculator. The obverse of the coin depicts the Arnold Machin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the head of the British Commonwealth. The reverse depicts an Australian Koala sitting in a eucalyptus tree. The $200 gold coin with the koala reverse was minted in 1980, 83, and 84 with the Machin obverse and in 1985-86 with the Raphael Maklouf portrait of the Queen. It was struck in both uncirculated and proof versions each year. Mintages started at a high of over 200,000 uncirculated coins and 50,000 proof coins in 1980 slowly dwindling to 15,298 / 16,654 in 1986.

These are an interesting coin because it wasn’t that long ago that the best thing to do with them was to take them to a bank and redeem them for face value. The high issue price in 1980 ($240 for the UNC version), low bullion value and the relatively large mintage for such an expensive coin means that the opportunity for capital growth isn’t really there. It has only been in the last 18 months of high gold prices that the coins started fetching amounts well above the face value of the coin. Even now, 29 years later the coins are only just reaching the issue prices again. I know of people who bought 10 or 20 of these coins in 1980 because they were promoted heavily and it is sad to think that they are only just now looking like recouping their initial investment. Hardly the way to get rich! Still they are beautiful coins and lovely to look at in proof form. And barely cost a premium above their gold value. Certainly a fun way of holding the yellow metal!

Australian 50 Cent Coins Value – Part 2

Posted on March 23, 2009 by msn

Australia 1969 Yarralumla PNC with 1969 Specimen 50 cent

In the first part of the Australian 50 Cent Coin Value entries I talked about some of the more valuable circulation coins and the relative lack of value of the commemorative 50 cent coins. In this second part I’ll talk about some of the real rarities that you’d be staggeringly lucky to find in your change. Still, the coins exist and if you’re really really lucky you might find one. You might have a better chance of winning the lottery though, so don’t start counting your money just yet.

1977 Coat of Arms Reverse – for some reason the Royal Australian Mint released a very small number of 1977 50 cent coins minted with the Coat of Arms reverse rather than the Silver Jubilee reverse. An EF example of one of these is estimated to be worth $4000.
1975 Australian Obverse / Fijian 50 cent Reverse – I’ve seen some references to this coin, but I have no idea of it’s worth or even if it actually exists. The Fijian 50 cent was the same shape as our coin and the RAM actually minted Fijian coins in that year so I guess this could happen.
1988 Coat of Arms Reverse – similar to the 1977 coin, some coins seem to have been minted with the Coat of Arms reverse rather than the First Fleet Bicentenary design. An uncirculated example of one of these sold in 2006 for $5400.
1969 Specimen 50 cent. These were struck for the Yarralumla PNC. 1330 made it into envelopes and possibly others were put into circulation, it is unknown how many. An UNC version is worth $150.
2000 ‘incuse’ Millennium – For whatever reason it appears that a single die run of 2000 Millennium 50 cent coins were run with a die variety. The cross on Union Jack in the Australian flag on the reverse is incuse rather than in relief as is normal. It is estimated that about 200,000 of these coins exist and they are worth $200 in uncirculated condition. Actually if you look for these coins you might be lucky enough to still find one. It wont be uncirculated but it will still be something of a scarce coin.
2010 Rotated or Upset 50 cent.

That’s it for 50 cent coin values. There’s a bunch of NCLT issues of fifty cent coins that you might be lucky enough to find in circulation, and then there’s the ridiculously expensive gold 2009 50 cent coin but you wont find one of those any time soon!

Posted in Collecting Coins, Investing in Coins Tagged with: coins, value

Australian Dollar Coins – 1994 Dollar Decade

Rotated Double Struck Coin Error

Off-Centre Coin Errors

Out of Collar or Partial Collar Coin Errors

2000 Incuse Flag Millennium 50 Cent Variety

Australian 20 Cent Coins Value Part 1

1966 Wavy Baseline 20 cent

Slang Terms for Money

Australian $200 Gold Koala Coins

Australian 50 Cent Coins Value – Part 2

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