The Australian Coin Collecting Blog

2015 Sydney Netball World Cup S Counterstamp Error

Posted on September 1, 2015 by kdh

A Blog reader emailed us after reading our article about the quality of the S counterstamp Netball 20c coins. He explained he obtained two coins both depicting the lustre break at the base of the Queen’s neck and the strike through on the rim. One of the coins however left our reader dismayed and annoyed that the Mint had again left him with an impaired coin so he contacted us for advice.

The S counterstamp was rotated and stamped in the hoop area of the design in the incorrect position. A lack of concentration by Mint staff operating the mobile coin press resulted in the coin not being aligned in the correct position when the counterstamp was applied on site. Usually this kind of error would be picked up and the coin quickly put aside or replaced with a coin with the correct marking. In previous years there have been examples of multiple counterstamps, doubled counterstamps and even coins without counterstamps. This error makes the coin possibly one of a kind, unique and worth considerably more than the $15 purchase price. Probably hundreds of dollars in fact. You can see the coin below. Many thanks to our reader for sharing this image.

S Counterstamp Error

Posted in Error Coins

2015 Netball 20 Cent Counterstamp Variations

Posted on August 27, 2015 by msn

Australia 2015 20 Cent S Counterstamp

We got 10 of the 2015 20c Netball S counterstamps a couple of days ago. The quality of the coins isn’t the best that we’ve seen from the RAM in recent times but we’ve had a closer look at the coins and there’s some interesting little variations on the coins.

All of the coins showed an unusual lustre break a the bottom of the Queen’s neck on the obverse suggesting the surface texture of the die was different in that area. We’ve spoken to another collector who has some of these coins and his coins exhibit the same characteristic. 8 of the 10 coins had a strike through on the rim near the Queen’s neck. It must have been a small bit of swarf or wire and it’s interesting to see how it moved around from strike to strike. Also, one coin had a oil strike through on the obverse rim around the II of ELIZABETH II.

Wire Strike Through 1-4

Rim Strike Through 1-4

Wire Strike Through 5-8

Rim Strike Through 5-8

Oil Strike Through

Strike Through Oil Error

Posted in Collecting Coins, Error Coins

Mint Releases first Counterstamped 20 Cent – Netball World Cup 2015 20c

Posted on July 31, 2015 by msn

In their never ending quest to find more products to sell to collectors the Royal Australian Mint is going to apply a counterstamp to the 2015 Netball World Cup 20 cent coin. Counterstamping coins is an easy way to “add value” to existing mint product, clearly it’s such a good thing the mint has splashed out on a second counterstamping press. One will be busy in Brisbane at the Ekka and the other will be set up for the Netball World Cup in the Fanfest fan zone at Allphones Arena at Olympic Park in Sydney.

The Netball World Cup will run from 7 to 16 of August and presumably the press will be operating the whole time and attendees can purchase the coins for $15 each. If you’re a regular collector then you’ll have to go to the event to collect your coin. You don’t need a ticket to get into the FanFEST area, it’s a free event open to anyone. If you’re a member of the RAM loyalty “Legends” program then you can order 5 coins over the phone, presumably at $15 too. They are not available at all online from the Mint.

Australia 2015 20 Cent S Counterstamp

The mint is selling the non counterstamped version of this coin via their website for $12 which will also be available in a PNC and an overprinted limited release ANDA show PNC. They are also selling a Netball themed 99.9% silver 1 Oz $5 coin that is domed in shape. Apparently it’s the world’s first Netball domed coin, but given the very few domed coins on the market that’s not saying much.

Update 27 August 2015 : We got some of these coins and there’s a few little errors and variations on them. Read more here.

Posted in Coin News

Million Numbered Banknotes

Posted on July 29, 2015 by kdh

Elizabeth II One Pound Note Coombs/Wilson with a Million Number Serial

Between 1913 and 1971 each Australian banknote prefix had a maximum of one million notes printed. These started at XX 000001 and in a complete serial run ended at the millionth note XX 1000000. Not all serial numbers however had a million notes printed. Starnotes replaced any soiled or damaged notes in the bundles to keep everything in sequential order making it easier to count but it was the last note, that millionth note that was special. There was only one millionth note per prefix and then only if that full run was printed.

That note was specially prepared and had an extra digit! The numbering machines printed 6 digits onto each note and this was an automated process. To prepare the millionth and last banknote for the run they had to hand prepare it. Note printing staff made a sheet of notes which included the serial XX 100000. That note was cut and the seventh digit hand printed onto the note in a careful process. This involved aligning the note with a piece of blank pink paper over the serial numbers and the numbers printed on that pink paper. On the pink paper a tiny piece was cut out in the position of the seventh digit. It was realigned shifted to the right and the inking rollers marked that final 0 giving that note its seventh digit. This alignment was purely visual and as such many million numbered notes have their last digit a little wonky. Judy Shaw, a leading banknote expert wrote that she met a Note Printing staffer who operated the machines and they needed much care and skill and they “were never attempted after a counter lunch”.

Even rarer than a starnote few of these million number notes have survived. In 2005 Judy Shaw suggested just 61 notes Australian pre-decimal million number notes exist whilst Mick Vort-Ronald suggested the number is more like 43 (Feb 1999). These numbers come from their experience trading in and watching the banknote market over the years. The oldest known surviving million serial banknote is a 1927 Riddle Heathershaw One Pound from the reign of George V. These notes are keenly sought and even have their own section in the catalogues. They have a considerably high catalogue value but take these with a grain of salt as the banknote market has fallen flat in the past few years.

References
Vort-Ronald, Michael P 1999, ‘The Millionth Note…’ Australian Coin Review, April Issue No. 411, pp 32-35
Shaw, Judy 2005, ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire…I DO!’ The Australasian Coin and Banknote Magazine Year Book December Volume 8 Number 11, pp 56-57

Posted in Banknotes

Numismatic Association of Australia’s Upcoming Conference Adelaide

Posted on July 18, 2015 by kdh

Every second year the Numismatic Association of Australia (NAA) holds a conference in a major capital city and this is an opportunity for coin collectors, dealers and those interested in numismatics to come together for the event. Held over 3 days attendees can buy/sell/swap and display items of numismatic interest on the Friday of the event. The Saturday and Sunday timetable provides short talks about specific topics by numismatic luminaries and their research and knowledge will be both entertaining and educational. Saturday night there will be an exclusive dinner held where you’ll be able to bring your partner.

The sixth biennial conference is this year being held in Adelaide from 23rd-25th October 2015. It is being held at the Naval, Military and Air Force Club of South Australia where smart casual dress is required. The location is 111 Hutt Street Adelaide City. If you’d like to participate in this event then you’ll need to register and pay the registration fee of $145 ($125 if you’re an NAA member). This includes entry for all three days of the event, all talks, the exclusive Saturday night dinner, savouries at the Friday night welcome function, Saturday and Sunday lunches, morning and afternoon teas and all day tea/coffee. It also includes a half table at the Friday afternoon bourse if you’d like to sell, swap or display numismatic items -you’ll need to notify the NAA Secretary when you register to ensure a table is held for you. The only added cost is $75 if you wish to bring your partner to the Saturday night dinner.

Surrounding the conference the Numismatic Society of South Australia (NSSA) who are subsidising this event for attendees have organised further activities for those interstate visitors who wish to take the time to see what Adelaide and South Australia has to offer. This includes a visit to the Army Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia. Other interesting nearby activities are tours of Adelaide Oval or further afield you could visit Adelaide’s wine regions.

This conference is on our home turf and we’ll be speaking on the Saturday. For more information and registration please visit NAAC2015 Information and Registration. Hope to see you there!

Posted in Coin News

Melbourne and Perth Foy Bags and the 1934-5 Centenary Florin

Posted on July 14, 2015 by msn

Left: Melbourne (*Type I) Right: Perth (*Type II) Foy and Gibson Bags

A Foy Bag is a little paper envelope that does or once did contain a 1934-5 Melbourne Centenary Florin. The commemorative florin was given as change in the special paper pouch to those who shopped at Victoria’s first department store Foy and Gibson during the Melbourne Centenary celebrations. The Great Depression put great strain on living expenses and the authorities had trouble selling the commemorative florins (for 3 shillings each – 150% of face value) which had been minted for the centennial celebrations of the founding of Victoria (1834) and the establishment of Melbourne (1835). Department store Foy and Gibson Pty Ltd purchased 30,000 of the coins (which would otherwise have been melted down) to give to their customers in the special envelope so they could have an “unusual” coin in their change. The coins cost Foy and Gibson 3/- (3 shillings) each, and were distributed at face value, costing them 1/- per coin.

There are two type of Foy Bags, a Melbourne Foy Bag (*Type 1) and Perth Foy Bag (*Type 2) which represented the Perth branch of the retail giant. The Melbourne Foy Bag was issued at all their Victorian stores, Melbourne, Collingwood, Prahran and their store in Adelaide. The Perth Foy Bag is much rarer than the Melbourne Foy Bag and their value proportionally higher.

A larger image of a Melbourne Foy and Gibson Bag

Because of their age and their fragility not many have survived the years without damage, it’s not often that you see quality examples with the envelope flap intact and we have never seen one without a centre fold. Given that Foy and Gibson bought 30,000 Centenary florins and distributed them as change to their customers along with one of these highly collectable bags this puts the maximum number issued (of the Melbourne and Perth types) at 30,000 bags. Surely only a small percentage of those bags have survived until today. This puts the value for the bag alone at eye opening levels. It’s not unusual to see a Melbourne Foy Bag realise a few hundred dollars while a Perth bag can be worth $1,000 or more. More, in fact, than the Centenary Florin often sells for. When a bag is sold with a matching Centenary florin it wouldn’t be unusual to have to pay $1,500+ to acquire the pair.

*Type I and II as described in The pocket guide to Australian Coins and Banknotes 18th edition by Greg McDonald

References
Collis, Alan H. 1971, ‘Collector or Numismatics’, Australian Coin Review, August Vol 8 No. 2, pp4-8
Collis, Alan H. 1971, ‘Collector or Numismatics’, Australian Coin Review, August Vol 8 No. 1, pp3-7

Posted in Collectables and Ephemera, Collecting Coins

Hub Doubled 1943m Threepence Variety

Posted on July 13, 2015 by kdh

As published in the Australasian Coin and Banknote Magazine June 2015 by the Australian Coin Collecting Blog. Subscribe here.

Hub Doubling – What is it?
“Hubbing” is the process in coin manufacturing where hardened positive image working hubs are pressed into blank steel dies to form negative image production dies. Often it takes more than one hubbing process to fully form the coin image on a production die. However, as the production dies are hubbed they work harden and must be heat treated (or annealed) to soften them to allow the hubbing to be carried out again. Obviously when a production die is hubbed a second (or even a third) time the production engineers in charge of the process must ensure that the working hub and the production die are perfectly aligned. If they are not, then the result is a doubled die, or very occasionally, a tripled die. All coins struck with such a die will show the doubling or tripling.

Hub Doubling in Australian Coinage
There are a number of hub-doubled Australian coins known. The best known is the so-called “double-nose” penny (which is probably a triple die) of 1962 struck in Perth. You can see the obverse of one of these well-known coins in Figure 1. Others include the 1926 half penny, 1953A half penny, 1954A half penny, 1956Y penny and the 1977 2 cent.

Figure 1: Obverse of 1962y ‘Double Nose’ Penny

An Interesting 1943M Threepence
In late 2014 we saw a picture of the obverse of a 1943M threepence while browsing a coin related internet forum. The obverse legends appeared to exhibit strong doubling but we couldn’t be entirely sure as the image wasn’t of the best quality. Regardless, it was interesting enough to warrant further investigation. We headed off to the world’s biggest numismatic garage sale (eBay) and spent a few hours looking at every Melbourne minted 1943 threepence we could find. We finally found a single coin nestled in a group of three other treys that seemed to have a doubled obverse. The cost was only a few dollars so in the interests of numismatic research we ‘pulled the trigger’ and a few days later the coin you see in Figure 2 arrived.
It can be seen that there clearly is doubling of the obverse legends. The key question to ask next, is the doubling just strike (or machine) doubling, or is it hub-doubling?

Figure 2: Interesting 1943M Threepence

Hub Doubled or Strike Doubled?
Hub doubling and strike doubling are quite different things. Strike doubling / machine doubling / mechanical doubling occurs when the die skips and skids across the coin as it is struck. This can be because of poor tolerances in the coin press or because the dies or supporting structure has worked loose during the minting process. Strike doubling is typified by a flat shelf like appearance of the doubling, and the lack of separation of design elements between the two ‘strikes’. This is contrasted with true hub-doubling where doubled elements are formed almost fully and there’s a clear split or notching between the doubled design. This separation is typified by split serifs in lettering, distinct separation of thin parts of the coin design, and notching at the corners devices and legends.
So is our 1943M threepence a true hub-doubled coin? Figures 3a and 3b tell us the story of what is going on. In both images we have taken a microscope image of a portion of the obverse legends and compared it with the same area from a normal 1943M threepence. Figure 3a shows the IVS of GEORGIVS with areas of interest highlighted with red arrows. Note the clear splitting of serifs on all three letters and the clear separation on the right part of the V. Figure 3b shows similar characteristics on the IM of IMP. The serifs of both letters are clearly split, and the left upright of the M is obviously separated.

Figure 3a: Comparison of IVS on doubled (top) and normal (bottom) 1943M 3d

Figure 3a: Comparison of IM on doubled (top) and normal (bottom) 1943M 3d

A Possible New Discovery?
Here we have what is clearly a hub doubled coin. We’ve conducted a search of the literature available to us and have not found record of a hub doubled 1943M threepence. So, it is also possible that what we have is a new variety for those of the “thinking arm” to keep an eye open for!
References
McConnelly, Ian (2010) Renniks Australian Pre-Decimal Coin Varieties, 2nd Edition Banksmeadow: Renniks Publications
McConnelly, Ian (2005) Renniks Australian Pre-Decimal Coin Varieties, 1st Edition Banksmeadow: Renniks Publications
Holland, Paul M. (2006) Australian Pre-decimal Bronze Coinage, The Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia, Vol 17 pp16-20
Herbert, Alan (2002) Official Price Guide to Mint Errors, 6th Edition New York: Crown Publishing Group

Posted in Error Coins

What is an Australian 1927 Parliament House Florin Coin Worth?

Posted on June 14, 2015 by msn

1927 Parliament Florin

On Facebook page we recently posted up an image of an Australian 1927 florin with a picture of the building that used to house Australia’s Parliament on the reverse (or tails) side of the coin. Over the next few hours several people commented on the post asking us “hey, what’s that worth?”. So, in response, here’s an entry explaining what an Aussie 1927 Parliament florin coin is worth.

There were 2,000,000 of these florins minted, which in today’s terms isn’t a lot. However, it was Australia’s first commemorative coin (celebrating the opening of Parliament House in Canberra) and because of that it was hoarded by the Australian public. That means that uncirculated Parliament two bob coins (coins that look the same as the day they were minted) are not that hard to find. So, we hear you thinking right now, that’s all very interesting but what are they worth? The answer (as of time of writing in June 2015) is that a Parliament two shilling coin is worth anywhere from ten dollars to several thousand dollars depending on the condition of the coin.

What is a Circulated Parliament Florin Worth?

The first thing to realise is that these coins are made from 11.3 grams of 92.5% pure silver (or sterling silver) and because of that a heavily worn or circulated parliament florin is is still worth the silver it contains. By circulated, we mean the coin was used by the Australian public to actually buy things and it spent time in people’s pockets or purses banging against other coins. Through the magic of our Aussie silver coin calculators we can tell you that the current value of the silver in a 1927 Parliament florin is AUD $18.64. This value is continually updated and accurate and if you add $5 or $10 onto this and that’s what your worn or circulated Parliament florin is worth.

1927 Florin in Extremely Fine (EF) Condition

What if your florin is better than the run of the mill circulated coin and has some remaining mint lustre, perhaps a bit like the one in the image above? The coin above is a better grade, we’d grade it as Extremely Fine or EF. And it’s value is something between $40 and $50. Collectors are willing to pay more for better grade coins so you can expect your higher grade Parliament florin to be worth more.

What is an Uncirculated Parliament Florin Worth?

If you have a lovely coin that looks just like the day it was made (or even better with some colourful toning) then your coin can be worth $100-$200 or more. That being said, you’d be lucky to get more than $200 for a coin that isn’t graded by a third party grading company like PCGS or NGC. Coins that are graded and put into holders by third party grading companies like PCGS and NGC can get more money. For example in the image below is a coin that grades as “choice uncirculated” and has been graded by a third party grading company as MS64. The value of this coin is around $250.

Parliament Florin PCGS MS64

If you were lucky enough to have a coin that graded as MS65 by PCGS then it would be worth $350 to $500. Get a coin in a PCGS MS66 holder and you’d be looking at $2,000 or more. Note that these values for third party graded coins only really apply to PCGS and NGC graded coins. The values of Parliament florins graded by second tier grading companies (like APCGS or ANACS or PCI) are not as high as these values.

What’s the Current Catalogue Value of 1927 Parliament Florins?

The 2015 edition of Pocket Guide to Australian Coin and Banknotes values the Parliament florin from $5 to $50 for coins graded Very Good to Extremely Fine. Almost uncirculated coins are valued a $100, uncirculated at $175, choice unc at $375 and gem at $575. The author of the catalogue notes that those values are RETAIL values and that you’re extremely unlikely to get them when you’re trying to sell your own coins. These prices have dropped considerably since the 2014 edition of the catalogue, with GEM value dropping by 50%. We still think the prices are a bit high but they are reasonable. Just a note that the VG price is actually UNDER the silver bullion value of the coin and we wouldn’t advocate selling them for $5, but we certainly do advocate buying them for that much!

Disclaimer

Values contained in this article were current at time of writing (June 2015) and were updated in December 2015, and are provided as estimates only. The exact value of any coin is only known when you actually sell it.

Note: Values updates on December 8, 2015.

2015 $2 Red Lest We Forget Rolls

Posted on June 8, 2015 by msn

Over the last 6 weeks or so there has been much frothing at the mouth by collectors over the bags of 2015 $2 red coloured Lest We Forget coins. These security bags were getting over $600 a bag in the first day or two that they appeared and prices have slowly subsided to around $100 a bag. Honestly, if you paid $600 for a bag then you’re buried in it. But they are probably decent value now if you like ‘investing’ (gambling) on the future value of coins. We never promote the idea of investing (gambling) in modern mint releases but if you do want to maximise the potential for returns then BUY LOW. Buying low is not possible immediately after the appearance of a new release, it is almost invariably better to wait for prices to settle.

Well, we thought we’d seen the last of the hysteria surrounding these coins but in the last week security rolls showing the 2015 red two dollar coins at each end have started appearing. Prices haven’t been completely ridiculous like the security bags but they have been faintly amusing, with people paying $200 or more to get a roll. Prices have now settled at just under $200 with any number of rolls available to purchase online. Personally we thing you’re totally taking luck into your hands buying these rolls for the following reasons:

1) They ARE NOT OFFICIAL MINT ISSUE. They are just rolls produced by security companies (Prosegur seems to be the only issuer so far). So don’t go buying these if you think you’re missing out on some special issue from the RAM.

2) There’s no guarantees the entire roll contains 2015 red $2 coins. Your nice $200 roll could have one red coin in it only. Or 25. You’ll never know unless you open it.

3) Sellers touting that the quality of coins is better really have no idea unless they start busting the rolls open. If rolls are loose they quality of coins can be terrible. If the coins have been handled excessively prior to rolling then the quality can be terrible. The point is that just don’t know until you start breaking the rolls. They might be better but unless you’re wanting to get the coins graded does it really matter?

I guess what we’re saying here is be cautious. It’s always disappointing to see early buyers paying so much for coins that are available at half or a third (or even 1/6th) the price just a few weeks later. If you’re wanting to buy one of these 2015 red $2 ANZAC remembrance rolls then please do, but take some deep breaths, and sit on your hands to keep them away from your computer mouse for a few weeks and you might just be able to buy one for half the price you can now.

Perhaps the hysteria has been because the Mint hasn’t released these coins as a collector issue, so far they’ve all been sent into circulation. This has made it difficult for collectors to pick these up at release prices. Stay tuned, a little birdie says we may see this red two dollar turn up in Mint packaging with a C mintmark sometime soon.

Posted in Coin News, Collecting Coins

2015 Dollar Coin Issues, Is Your Collection Complete?

Posted on June 8, 2015 by kdh

2015 Red Poppy WW1 Heroes $1 Coin

If you’re collecting dollar coins it can be hard, with the plethora of new releases from the coin issuers, to keep your collection up to date with all the coins you need to keep your collection complete. To decrease this confusion we’ve created our handy tables and lists so you can refer to them and, at a glance, see the coins you might still need to obtain. Or see what coins may end up appreciating in value due to a low mintage! Each year we update our tables and add to the lists throughout the year as the issues come out and as the financial reports are released confirming the mintages. We’ve just finished the new table for 2015 which you can find from the handy dropdown box above “The Australian Dollar Coin” or click the link below.

2015 Issues and Mintages of the Dollar Coin

If we have made a mistake or omitted a coin then please contact us so we can update the list.

Posted in Coin News

2015 Sydney Netball World Cup S Counterstamp Error

2015 Netball 20 Cent Counterstamp Variations

Mint Releases first Counterstamped 20 Cent – Netball World Cup 2015 20c

Million Numbered Banknotes

Numismatic Association of Australia’s Upcoming Conference Adelaide

Melbourne and Perth Foy Bags and the 1934-5 Centenary Florin

Hub Doubled 1943m Threepence Variety

What is an Australian 1927 Parliament House Florin Coin Worth?

What is a Circulated Parliament Florin Worth?

What is an Uncirculated Parliament Florin Worth?

What’s the Current Catalogue Value of 1927 Parliament Florins?

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2015 $2 Red Lest We Forget Rolls

2015 Dollar Coin Issues, Is Your Collection Complete?

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