Summary

Australia
Square pattern Penny, 1921
Type 12
Mint: Melbourne

Between 1919 and 1921 a series of experiments were undertaken for a square coinage in nickel to replace the large bronze penny and halfpenny coins. This was the design adopted for circulation but legislation was never put in place and the concept was dropped. The nickel acquired by the mint to strike the circulation coins was used in 1929 for the New Guinea penny and halfpenny coins.

Physical Description

A square nickel pattern coin with rounded corners (18 mm across, plain edge) featuring a bare head of George V facing left with the legend around GEORGE V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX 1921. The reverse features a Kookaburra seated facing right on small branch; curved above, AUSTRALIA; below at right in one lines and large letters, ONE PENNY

Obverse Description

Bare head of George V facing left; around in a circle, GEORGIVS S D.G.BRITT:OMN:REX . 1921 .

Reverse Description

Kookaburra standing on small branch facing right; above, AUSTRALIA; below, ONE PENNY

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

The production of bronze penny and halfpenny coins at the Melbourne Branch of the Royal Mint began in 1919. The first order from the Commonwealth began "pending the introduction of nickel coins..." leading mint authorities to believe that the introduction of nickel coins was imminent. Between 1919 and 1921 a number of experimental square patterns were produced.

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