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 Replies: 8 / Views: 2,615 |
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New Member
United States
7 Posts |
Hey everyone, My grandfather served in the US Navy from 1940-1945, and was stationed at various posts throughout the Asiatic Fleet during that time. He spent a fair amount of time in Australia, and brought home some coins and currency from his visit. I recently re-discovered these coins when re-arranging things I had in storage since I moved and decided to do some research. Among a number of three- and six-pence pieces and florins, I found two coins of interest: a 1938 crown and a 1927 commemorative florin:   After doing some research I think they are the most interesting pieces in the group, especially the crown. I don't know how he came to possess it, but I'm rather happy that he did! I also had a question that I hope someone might be able to tackle: there are what appear to be four British pennies among the coins as well.  I understand that Australia did not begin minting their own pennies until 1911, so the 1897 penny makes some sense, but I was surprised to find coins minted in 1914, 1916 and 1940. Am I correct in assuming that British coinage was still routinely produced and used in Australia at this time? This is only part of a small collection of WWII-era currency he brought home, which also includes Japanese occupation currency and Allied Military notes from Italy. It was a fun evening digging through it all! Edited by TieAFly
07/27/2011 11:08 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
560 Posts |
U.K pennies from what I understand were used in New Zealand untill they minted their own in 1941, they could have been used here as they were the same size as Australian coinage.
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New Member
 United States
7 Posts |
Ahh... that makes much more sense. There was a kiwi florin in the mix, too. Thanks!
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1244 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
the 1938 Crown was low mintage, and it attracts a significant premium above the value of its silver content.
The 1927 florin was our first commemorative, and is very popular with collectors. Higher grades get very hig prices.
Peter in Darwin, Oz
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Before WW2, Australia exported huge amounts of scrap steel and pig iron to Japan, which they shot back at us during the War. Is that what you call 'balanced trade?'
Although these two coins were produced in Melbourne, a lot of Australian wartime .925 fine silver coins were made in the U.S. at the SF and Denver Mints. Because of their current mint dates at the time, 'S' and 'D' mint marks for 1942, '43 and '44, quite a few of these coins must have found their way back to the U.S. in the pockets of American servicemen.
British .925 silver coins were repatriated back to Great Britain in 1920. British bronze coins were almost all repatriated back to Great britain by 1925.
Interestingly, British currency was finally established on a firm footing in the Australian Colonies exactly 100 years earlier in 1825, when a substantial shipment of British coins was received in Sydney, from Great Britain. Those coins would have been of George 1V.
Because of the exchange rate in 1920, the British coins were worth more. They were melted down to produce .500 fine silver coins in Great Britain after the debasement 1920. Australia continued with .925 fine silver coins until 1946, then bebased to .500 fine until the end of pre decimal currency.
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New Member
United States
7 Posts |
Thanks for all of the additional information on these coins!
Your link helped a lot, Australian coin.
I don't plan on parting with these, as the sentimental value and family history far outweighs numismatic value.
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Valued Member
Australia
105 Posts |
Some nice coins there TieAFly,with great sentimental value to you.
In my opinion the 1927 florin was the best looking coin ever minted in Australia
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
The Parliament House two bob (florin) was the very first of George Kruger Gray's coin designs. A lot of interested coin people consider the design as one of the best to appear on any coin. He went on to design a lot of British and British Commonwealth coins, and has left a rich legacy.
As a kid, I saw the tiny "KG" on the coins and wondered what it meant. I didn't know, so I called it 'King Goofy'!
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Replies: 8 / Views: 2,615 |
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Posted 07/28/2011 12:11 am
