1956 Penny Proof - Initial 'M.g'

Only 417 proof 1956 Perth pennies were struck (Renniks, 47th ed.)
With this few struck, it is almost certain that they ALL originated from the same die. If 'M.G.' is found on the truncation of the bust of one of them, ALL '56 proof pennies should all have 'M.G.' (Mary Gillick, the designer of the obverse die).

With circulation coins, it is common to strike in the region of 100,000 coins off a single working die.


Hypothetically, a common die could have been used for any or all dates of Perth proof pennies. However, the investigation of such a hypothesis, I think, would be no more than an exercise in futility.

As with most of us who have not spent a professional lifetime in Australian numismatics, I have never been able to describe auction lots of Perth proof pennies and therefore cannot answer this question definitively, based on the personal experience of a working lifetime auction lot describer.

Such a professional numistmatist may be able to provide that sort of definitive answer, and that is the sort of person that needs to be asked. I can think of two such people.