Summary

Australia
Halfpenny 1924
Proof strike
Mint: Melbourne

"On the 1924 dies of all denominations, the Melbourne Mint for the first time inserted the last numeral of the date."

Physical Description

A bronze coin (25.5 mm diameter with plain edge) featuring a crowned and robed bust of George V facing left; around, GEORGIVS V D.G. BRITT: OMN: REX F.D. IND: IMP: ; below bust in small lettering the artist's initials B.M. The reverse features, within a circle of beads, the words ONE HALF PENNY in three lines above a lower plain scroll; around the circle of beads, COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA . 1924 .

Obverse Description

Crowned and robed bust of George V facing left; around, GEORGIVS V D.G. BRITT: OMN: REX F.D. IND: IMP: ; below bust in small lettering the artist's initials B.M.

Reverse Description

At centre within a circle of beads, the words ONE HALF PENNY in three lines above a lower plain scroll; around the circle of beads, COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA . 1924 .

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

"In 1923 the Melbourne Mint obtained a punch for the numeral '4' from Stokes and Son and with it successfully changed the date of a florin die. They then ordered a full set of date punches from Londonto match the other numerals on their masters (VPRO Series 643, Unit 70, Div. IQ, Reg. 77/23 and 257/23 the punches were received on 8th Nov. 1923). On the 1924 dies of all denominations, the Melbourne Mint for the first time inserted the last numeral of the date." - Sharples, J.P. "Australian Coinage 1919 to 1924" JNAA, vol.1 p.18 .

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