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Just checking my coins, my Australia is actually bitsier for all years now except 1936. But as you will see, what I have is generally nice.  As you can see, I only have 3 coins, the 3d is VF if somewhat stained, the 1940 shilling is a scarce date and I have a nice (Near EF) example - the Florin is another high grade piece too (EF/AU). I don't have the others for the reason other than I have not bought them yet   Reverses, this blackened stuff appears on a lot of these older coins for some reason. |
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New Zealand on the other hand is my forte! The Penny and Halfpenny made their debut. These were designed by Leonard Mitchell as part of a design competition for the 1940 Centenary, previously we had used British and Australian bronze coins, only having the 3d to 2/6 in the 1933 - 39 period. The coins showed the Tui (1d) and Maori heitiki ornament (½d)  Designed by Mitchell, the coins were adapted to coinage by Percy Metcalfe, minted in the UK and released here in November 1939 despite being dated 1940. My examples are VF, although a bad attempt at cleaning on the penny. These are an upgrade on the HFBCWG thread in April. The designs were well received and the coins became full time additions to the line ups. By mid 1941 most of the Britannia and Australian bronze had been supplanted by NZ bronze coins. Next we discuss the Half crown, which unlike these 2 was a one off coin only, with the regular design resuming in 1941. More coins coming. Edited by Princetane
02/20/2021 03:24 am
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Unlike the Bronze, the Halfcrown designed also for 1940 was not intended to be a permanent addition to the coinage.  This was also designed by Mitchell and a similar design came from his rival, James Berry. Berry would go on to design the 1949 and 1953 Crowns and the 1967 coin designs, he also designed many of the large dollars and coins for Samoa and Cook Island. Both also designed most of the stamps for NZ and its colonies between 1933 and 1975. Again the design showing a Maori wahine in traditional dress was adapted to the coin by Percy Metcalfe. This coin was only 100k minted and 800 Proofs. Most were salted away by souvenir collectors. They were part of the big Centennial exhibition, held despite the war (1940 was the 100 years since the Treaty of Waitangi signed between Maori and Whites) along with a set of stamps as well. I have shown these stamps a few posts down as they are all part of this story Most of the coins survive in VF or better condition and none are that rare, like the Canberra florin, they have a premium - but unless proof, most people will have one. The Florin is another high VF one and the first issue of Shillings, Florins and Halfcrowns since 1937.  All of my lower silver coins are replacable average examples (Although these are better average high VG/ near Fine and clean rather than dirty Good ones)  Reverse shot again shows a collection in the middle stages of upgrade. Sorry for the long history lesson, but 1940 was such an important year in our history like 1990 was. Fortunately no one did a swing/boogie woogie inspired theme song!! Edited by Princetane
02/20/2021 11:51 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
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Pillar of the Community
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Nice group there Numis Rob
I am sure I can help you out with a 1940 Halfpenny at some stage!
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Bedrock of the Community
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Edited by NumisRob
02/20/2021 05:50 am
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
9476 Posts |
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Sorry for the long history lesson, but 1940 was such an important year in our history No need to be sorry. Makes for interesting reading. There won't be many coins from New Zealand from me from here on back. Steve :) |
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All good, My Australia is about to get real patchy too!
Just as a heads up - no more 3ds back to 1936, no more Halfpennies until 1932 etc.
I think most collections seem to be good and complete back to WW2 and bits of the later 30s, but then it gets patchy before 1935. My guess is that the late 30s was the beginning of the collecting bug for the middle class and children. Previous to 1935, it was mostly the well off that collected and not usually everyday pocket change.
However 1935 in the stamp world saw a flurry of interest over KGV silver Jubilee issues of stamps and a big stamp craze started that lasted through to the 80s. My guess is coins went that way too?
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Just before we leave 1940, I should really show these stamps as they are beautiful!  The set was designed mostly by James Berry and Leonard Mitchell (Our coin artistes as well ) and featured aspects of our first 100 years. ½d - Arrival of Maoris 1350AD 1d - Captain Cook 1½d - 5 Sovereigns (The only stamp of NZ to show Edward VIII at this point, he reappears in a 1990 issue) 2d - Abel Tasman 2½d - The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi 1840 3d - Settlers arriving 1840 4d - Transport 5d - British at Akaroa 1840 6d - Refrigerated Meat Transport "Otago" 1882 7d - Maori council 8d - Maori Council - Re released March 1940 for rate increase 9d - Gold Mining 1/- - Tane Mahuta (Kauri Tree) still standing now! Sorry to go stampy, but too beautiful to ignore. Set was released January 2nd 1940. |
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1939 had just 2 denominations of coin minted for New Zealand. The sixpence and threepence. My examples are VG and EF!  Never has there been a bigger contrast in conditions!   Numbers of the 3d were generous, but 6d numbers were low (3 million vs 700k) I don't know why so few coins were minted, ny guess is such generous numbers of coins were issued in 1933 - 1937, that more were not really needed except for low denominations. Bear in mind too, we are pre Bronze coin era too and UK/Australian bronze was filling this void. 1939 was probably also the last year farthings were used in NZ and November saw the arrival of 1940 dated NZ coins. Edited by Princetane
02/21/2021 02:55 am
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My 1939 for Australia is also sparse. All of the coins were minted this year. The Halfpenny came in the old lettered design (Common) and new "Roo" design (Scarce and ex$pen$ive)  All I have is a Fine+ 3d and Fine+ Shilling. Even the Florin this year is scarce and the only post 1935 I don't have (I just bought a 45 and 51).  Reverses. |
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Australia
9476 Posts |
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Sorry to go stampy, but too beautiful to ignore.
No need to be sorry again. I am or was a stamp collector too until recently. In fact I was a mod on the CCF stamp site for a while until I lost interest. I have over 500 different NZ stamps. Now back to coins. 1939 NZ zippo, nil, nada, nothing. So moving right along to Aus.       Steve :) |
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1939 Australian threepence (a bit battered):  |
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4628 Posts |
Steve, your collection of Australian coins is incredible. That Halfpenny is a rarity and so is the Florin. Your completion levels are amazing, I get more excited as we head further back!
As for the nada 1939 kiwi coins, when my package arrives from wellington - that 6d is yours if you want it.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
9476 Posts |
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Steve, your collection of Australian coins is incredible. That Halfpenny is a rarity and so is the Florin. Your completion levels are amazing, I get more excited as we head further back! Thank you PrinceTane, I have never thought of my collection as anything other than basic. Quote:
As for the nada 1939 kiwi coins, when my package arrives from wellington - that 6d is yours if you want it. Thank you my friend, I will gladly take what ever you can offer. There is still many holes in my NZ collection. Steve :) |
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Posted 02/20/2021 03:10 am
