Summary

Australia
Shilling 1921 Star
Mint: Sydney

This is an specimen piece produced provided to the Melbourne Mint from Sydney Mint. The star above the date had a part in a planned debasement of the silver alloy. The debasement, in the end did not occur, but the Sydney mint had ordered dies from London during the period that it was expected to occur.

Physical Description

A silver coin (23.5 mm diameter with milled 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 the Ensigns Armorial of the Commonwealth of Australia, as authorised by Royal Warrent 7th May 1908 - composed of a simple shield enclosing a cross of Saint George on which are five six-pointed stars, around the outside of which are six small escutcheons, i.e., small shields. The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu standing on a grassy mound. Above the shield a crest, the seven-pointed star of Federation on a wreath. Below on a ribbon the motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA is inscribed. Around above, ONE SHILLING and below, between arrow heads, the date, 1920. Above the date is a small star

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, simple shield enclosing a cross of Saint George on which are five six-pointed stars, around the outside of which are six small escutcheons, i.e., small shields. The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu standing on a grassy mound. Above the shield a crest, the seven-pointed star of Federation on a wreath and on a ribbon at the base the motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA is inscribed; around above, ONE SHILLING; below, between arrow heads, the date, 1920. Above the date is a small star.

Edge Description

Milled

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