AUSTRALIAN DECIMAL & PREDECIMAL COINS: VARIETY & ERROR COINS
Decimal coins have been introduced since 1966. For the purposes of investment potential I have focused on variety coins rather than key dates for collecting. Vital key decimal dates according to my opinion are listed. Higher values of key dates will be associated with them as time goes on.
Areas of interest when it comes to decimal coins include:
DECIMAL VARIETY COINS
DECIMAL ERROR COINS
PREDECIMAL VARIETY COINS
PREDECIMAL ERROR COINS
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DECIMAL VARIETY COINS
There are many varieties but have concentrated on what I believe are the most popular within the decimal issues. They are listed and then described as follows:
1966 20 cents: 20c Wavy 2 (London Die)
A variety that you may know of is the 1966 20 cent wavy 2. The coin is worth hundreds and is one the the most sort after decimal coins. It would be difficult to find on in change up possible?? The baseline of the number 2 is wavy and not straight like normal 20 cent pieces. Average examples on ebay were selling for around $200.00 during 2009. Average examples are selling for around $300.00 during 2011. UNC examples have appeared and selling for $3000 on ebay (2009).
2000 1 Dollar: 2000 $1/20c MULE
A very interesting variety coin escaped into circulation. The coin I am talking about is the $1/10c 2000 MULE. The obverse of the 10 cent piece was stamped onto the reverse of the $1 coin creating an inner circle. Notice the inner circle created along with the smaller queens head.The mintage figures at the moment is not definite. Some say 400, some say there is up to 6000, others say unknown ?? These figures indicate that it is a rare piece of history that can be found in your change at the moment. As the coin is getting older the chances of finding UNC specimens are almost nil. Well Centered mules are the most sort after. As for the value of the coin, a choice UNC example can reach as much as $6000 or more (2011). You may be about to get an above average circulated example within the $500 mark (2011). IMAGE BELOW:
1967 2 cent: missing SD mint mark (Perth mint)
The 1967 2 cent missing SD mint mark along with the blunted first right claw that indicates its from the Perth mint and makes it a rare coin indeed. This is the rarest 2 cent piece. The standard 1967 2 cent coin from the Perth mint is valuable never the less. Its rarity comes with the feature of having the missing SD mintmark. The 1968 2 cent also can be found with a missing SD mintmark and from the Perth mint. The 1967 2 cent coin is more expensive. IMAGE BELOW:
2000 50 Cents: Millennium Incused Flag
The Incused flag below is located on the centre and cross that is incused. During the coin design being impressed it sunk into the flan. IMAGE BELOW:
DECIMAL ERROR COINS
It is a good idea to include error coins as part of your collection even though they are not as expensive and in demand as variety coins. Below is an example that can be obtained for demonstration:
Planchet Clipped Coins
Clipped Planchet coins are ones that have been cut unintentionally on the sides of the coins during production. They can be found in many other dates.
Mis Struck Coins
Mis Struck coins are quite interesting. There is a percentage that the coin can be off centre. They can be found in many other dates. The more off centre, the more value is added to the coin. The example below is a gEF example presented. Notice that the design of the coin is off centre. It is off centre by 5%. Hence, a Mis struck coin by 5%
PREDECIMAL VARIETY COINS
There are numerous varieties out there. I would like to concentrate on the most appreciated types in my opinion. A list of other predecimal varieties that I believe are the most sort after and that have the most potential for investment purposes include:
1927 Halfpenny: elongated blob under GI of Georgavis of the Legend
1925 Penny: Thin or broken Leg of second N
1931 Penny: Dropped figure 1 in date
1942I Penny: Missing mintmark under the kings head (missing I)
1946 Penny: Re-entered date (Doubling of the date)
1953 Penny: Long Figure 5- Different figure 3- Sans dot after Y
1917M Threepence: Die crack rim to emu’s leg
1916M Threepence: Elongated blob on letter E of “Threepence”
IMAGE BELOW: VG example. Notice the elongated blob on the E of “Threepence”. This could be in your collection !
1922 Threepence: Overdate 1922/21
1933/32 Threepence: Overdate 1933/32
1922 Sixpence: Die crack through top of the date figures
1943 Shilling: Blob attached to front top of mint mark (S)
1946 Florin: Large circle in number 6 of the date
1937 Crown: Dot in field between crown and the I of Australia
PREDECIMAL ERROR COINS
Error coins can be found in the predecimal range. It is wise to collect an example or two as they can be quite interesting and pleasing to observe. Hence, have added the following.
Clipped Planchet
1959 Shilling Planchet Clipped Variety presented below in Very Fine Condition. Notice the clipped side of the coin.
