How can you tell if an Australian 1943 Penny is proof?

Answer 1

I am not sure what you mean by a specimen coin, but there are two possibilities. Possibility 1 - A specimen coin is a coin (or bank note) struck as a trial and will be marked clearly in some fashion to indicate that it is a specimen and not for general circulation. Possibility 2 (and most likely) - When a new years coinage is released, the Royal Australian Mint also produces a variety of coins not intended for general circulation. These are produced for collectors and are usually minted with specially prepared dies as mint uncirculated "specimens" of the latest coins. They are presented in protective packaging and are labelled indicating that they are an uncirculated "specimen" set or a "Proof" set or some other high value coin set often made from precious metals.

Answer 2

Most countries produce Proof or Proof Fleur Du Coin (FDC) coins each year for various coins of their respective currencies. Such coins are not intended to be used as circulating currency, but as more of a collector or investment coin.

Proof coins are minted on specially prepared, highly polished and finished dies. The resulting coin is extremely shiny and will have none of the usual little minting marks and blemishes to spoil the surface.

Proof coins can be very high quality versions of general circulation coins or, they can be bullion coins that do not have a general circulation equivalent.

The Proof coins are frequently, but not always, made from a precious metal, such as silver or gold, and are usually suitably packaged to avoid having them knocked around or getting dirty or being covered with finger prints, etc. They are also significantly more expensive to buy than the face value of the coin would suggest.

Depending on the country concerned, they are usually sold by the Post Office, the Reserve Bank or other Central banking agency in the year of their release, or from coin dealers after the year of their release.

A Proof coin that has been circulated and/or handled, has lost the value that it might have had if it had remained protected in its packaging.

Answer 3

Most countries produce Proof or Proof Fleur Du Coin (FDC) coins each year for various coins of their respective currencies. Such coins are not intended to be used as circulating currency, but as more of a collector or investment coin.

Proof coins are minted on specially prepared, highly polished and finished dies. The resulting coin is extremely shiny and have a mirror like finish and will have none of the usual little minting marks and blemishes to spoil the surface.

The Proof coins are frequently, but not always, made from a precious metal, such as silver or gold, and are usually suitably packaged to avoid having them knocked around or getting dirty or being covered with finger prints, etc. They are also significantly more expensive to buy than the face value of the coin would suggest.

A Proof coin that has been circulated and/or handled, has lost the value that it might have had if it had remained protected in its packaging.

The packaging that the coin comes in will have some reference to the details of the coin printed on it.

Answer 4

Most countries produce Proof or Proof Fleur Du Coin (FDC) coins each year for various coins of their respective currencies. Such coins are not intended to be used as circulating currency, but as more of a collector or investment coin.

Proof coins are minted on specially prepared, highly polished and finished dies. The resulting coin is extremely shiny and have a mirror like finish and will have none of the usual little minting marks and blemishes to spoil the surface. Apart from that, they are identical to the same denomination general circulation coins.

The Proof coins are frequently, but not always, made from a precious metal, such as silver or gold, and are usually suitably packaged to avoid having them knocked around or getting dirty or being covered with finger prints, etc. They are also significantly more expensive to buy than the face value of the coin would suggest.

A Proof coin that has been circulated and/or handled, has lost the value that it might have had if it had remained protected in its packaging.

The packaging that the coin comes in will have some reference to the details of the coin printed on it.

Answer 5

The short answer is that the Australian One Dollar note is not rare.

There are a number of types of notes that are highly sought after by collectors.

A "Star" note is a note that has been reprinted after the original note was spoiled during the printing process. The last character of the serial number will be a star. These were printed in 1966, 1967 and 1969 and will begin with the serial prefixes ZAA to ZAQ. For example - ZAD 32165*. The RBA discontinued the practice of "Star" notes as being too expensive and unnecessary.

The first and last in a series, for example - AAA 000000 or AGE 999999, the serial range printed in 1966.

Million numbered notes, for example - DBP 1000000, admittedly these would be rare.

Notes with all numerals the same, for example - DBF 222222 or ACK 555555.

Consecutively numbered groups of 2 or more notes.

Any note with a genuine printing flaw.

Many of these would need to be in mint uncirculated condition to get any great price for them.

Answer 6

Most countries produce Proof or Proof Fleur Du Coin (FDC) coins each year for various coins of their respective currencies. Such coins are not intended to be used as circulating currency, but as more of a collector or investment coin.

Proof coins are minted on specially prepared, highly polished and finished dies. The resulting coin is extremely shiny and has a mirror like finish and will have none of the usual little minting marks and blemishes to spoil the surface.

The Proof coins are frequently, but not always, made from a precious metal, such as silver or gold, and are usually suitably packaged to avoid having them knocked around or getting dirty or being covered with finger prints, etc. They are also significantly more expensive to buy than the face value of the coin would suggest.

A Proof coin that has been circulated and/or handled, has lost the value that it might have had if it had remained protected in its packaging.

The packaging that the coin comes in will have some reference to the details of the coin printed on it, ie. that it is a Proof coin, what it is made from and any other details that identify the coin as different from a general circulation coin.