Summary

Australia
Shilling 1945
Proof strike issued to the Melbourne mint as a reference coin
Mint: Melbourne

Immediately after World War II the silver employed in the manufacture was dropped from sterling, .925 fine, to .500 fine. This was the first issue of the 50% silver coinage. The entire issue of 1945 shillings, which had been struck on the sterling silver standard, was still in store when the decision to debase was made, and all except two proofs of record were melted.

Physical Description

A silver coin (23.5 mm diameter with milled edge) featuring a bare head of George VI facing left; around, GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: ; below bust in small lettering the artist's initials H.P.. The reverse features a ram's head facing three-quarters left; around above, AUSTRALIA, around below between two Federation stars, SHILLING . 1945. The artist's initials, KG is in the field above the star on the right.

Obverse Description

Bare head of George VI facing left; around, GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: The artis's initials H.P. in the field below the back of the neck.

Reverse Description

Ram's head facing three-quarters left; around above, AUSTRALIA, around below between two Federation stars, SHILLING . 1945. The artist's initials, KG is in the field above the star on the right.

Edge Description

Milled

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