PCGS Recognizes Two Scarce Australian Doubled Dies: 1943 Half Penny And 1977 2 Cents

PCGS - PCGS recently encapsulated a rare and unusual Australian 1943 Half Penny and 1977 2 Cents, both exhibiting doubled die obverse varieties newly recognized by PCGS

A recent submission at PCGS underscores the company's continued dominance as the foremost grader of world coinage. This submission by a major Australian coin dealer included a 1943 Australian Half Penny and 1977 Australian 2 Cents, both featuring obverse doubled die varieties that PCGS is now recognizing.


This 1943 Australian Half Penny is recognized as a doubled die by PCGS. Images courtesy of PCGS.

"We love receiving rare and unusual world coin varieties like these cool 1943 Half Penny and 1977 Australian 2 Cents coins," says PCGS President Stephanie Sabin. "PCGS continues to recognize and certify varieties for coinage worldwide. Australia is no exception, and PCGS is proud to add these examples to its ever-growing census."

The coins were submitted to PCGS by Drake Sterling Numismatics, an Australian PCGS Authorized Dealer who sent them on behalf of an individual in Perth, Australia. These scarce varieties both exhibit significant obverse doubling that can be seen with the unaided eye.


PCGS recognizes this 1977 Australian 2 Cents as a doubled die.

The 1943 Australian Half Penny shows heavy doubling in the inscription "GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP." It is the first such doubled die recognized by PCGS.

The 1977 Australia 2 Cents obverse doubled die is also the first variety of its kind to be recognized by PCGS. This scarce variety exhibits heavy doubling with a significant spread in the inscriptions "ELIZABETH II" and "AUSTRALIA" as well as the date "1977." The mint of origin cannot be 100% ascertained, though the coin most likely hailed from the Perth Mint.

Adds Sabin, "Being entrusted to encapsulate these two varieties exemplifies the confidence that world coin dealers and collectors have in PCGS and its attribution services."

Check out 1943 Half Pennies on ebay.

Check out 1977 2 cents on ebay.