Australian Coins

An Australian 1998 "Masterpieces in Silver" Proof set of 9 coins (Elizabeth II), uncirculated and in absolute mint condition and the original packaging, could fetch up to $195 AUD.

There were 15,000 sets produced.

A reputable coin dealer will be able to give a more accurate valuation.

Good luck with that question. Let me know if you ever find an Australian 30 Dollar note, I would be interested in seeing one.

Australia's current banknotes consist of 5, 10, 20 ,50 and 100 Dollar notes all made of a polymer compound.

Australia's current general circulation coinage consists of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent coins, composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, 1 and 2 Dollar coins composed of 92% copper, 6% aluminum and 2% nickel.

Australia also has a range of non-circulating coins from 1 to 200 Dollars made of various precious metals, which are mostly for collectors or investment purposes.

"Advance Australia" is a slogan dating back to Australian Colonial days. It was the rallying cry for those who thought that Australia should become self dependant, the colonies federated and the new country independent. "Advance Australia" appeared in a scroll below the "Coat of Arms" on the reverse of all Australian silver coins from 1910 to 1936, and appeared on all Australian Sixpences until they were last minted in 1963. There are many 19th Century Australian "Traders Tokens" of various values, but mostly "ONE PENNY", that also include the words "Advance Australia", with early versions of what was to become the Australian "Coat of Arms". When Australia was looking around for a new national anthem in the early 1970's, many songs were suggested, but it came down to one, "Advance Australa Fair", a well known song that had been written in 1878 by Scotsman Peter McCormick as a potential national anthem.

A British 1925 50% silver Threepence (George V), uncirculated and in absolute mint condition could fetch up to £50 GBP. If it has been circulated but still in good condition, it might fetch anything from £2 to £18 GBP.

The values quoted are the best possible for the best specimens in their grades, but may be significantly lower due to varying demand for the coin and the prevailing economic climate. A reputable coin dealer will be able to give a more accurate valuation based on inspection of the coin.

The Vatican has produced many coin sets over the years. You need to know what year the coins were minted and also if they are gold or silver or not.

One Pound Australian in 1940 had the purchasing power of about $72.50 AUD today.

The image of "One Pound Jimmy" on the reverse of the Australian Two Dollar coin was taken from an etching by Ainslie Roberts.

The Royal Australian Mint advises that the image does not depict any particular individual, living or dead.

An Australian 2000 gold 1/10th ounce (Fifteen Dollar) nugget (Elizabeth II)(Proof), uncirculated and in absolute mint condition and its original packaging, could fetch up to $160 AUD.

There were 750 minted.

A reputable coin dealer will be able to give a more accurate valuation.

An Australian 1947 bronze Penny (George VI)(minted in Melbourne - no mintmark), uncirculated and in absolute mint condition could fetch up to $65 AUD. If it has been circulated but still in good condition, it might fetch anything from $0.75 to $15 AUD.

There were 6.759 million minted.

An Australian 1947 bronze Penny (George VI)(minted in Perth - mintmark = Y.), uncirculated and in absolute mint condition could fetch up to $625 AUD. If it has been circulated but still in good condition, it might fetch anything from $2.50 to $90 AUD.

There were 4.49 million minted.

An Australian 1947 bronze Penny (George VI)(Proof)(minted in Perth - mintmark = Y.), uncirculated and in absolute mint condition could fetch up to $45,000 AUD.

A reputable coin dealer will be able to give a more accurate valuation.

All Australian coins have distinctly Australian themes on the reverse. The Australian Two Dollar coin has a bust of an Australian Aborigine "One Pound Jimmy" from an engraving by Ainslie Roberts, the Southern Cross, a constellation visible from all over Australia, and the Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea) which is found in all states of Australia.

If you have a silver piece with 1 OZ on the back it's a bullion coin worth about $18 (as of 07/2008) for its metal content.

If you have a gold-colored Sacagawea dollar it's made of brass and there are about a billion of them in circulation so they're not likely to EVER be worth more than $1.00

D G REG is heavily abbreviated Latin and it will appear on most British and Commonwealth coins when there is a Queen on the throne.

D G is often shown as DEI GRATIA meaning "by the grace of god".

REG is often shown as REGINA meaning "Queen". REX for a King.

Current coins featuring Queen Elizabeth II will have the legend "ELIZABETH II D G REG F D" or something similar meaning, "Elizabeth II, by the grace of god, Queen and defender of the faith".

The full unabbreviated inscription reads "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSOR".

The legend in the latter part of the reign of Queen Victoria was a little more impressive and read - "VICTORIA DEI GRA BRITT REGINA FID DEF IND IMP". The literal definition is - "Victoria by the Grace of God, Queen of the British territories, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India".

A Bank of Adelaide 1965 souvenir coin set in mint condition and its original packaging, could fetch anything from $30 to $45 AUD.

A reputable coin dealer will be able to give a more accurate valuation.

The Australian Threepence was minted in most years from 1910 to 1964 inclusive.

Assuming they are in mint uncirculated condition, the most valuable coins not including pattern, proof or error coins would be -

1915 - $4,500 AUD

1942 - $3,700 AUD

1923 - $3,350 AUD

1914 - $2,650 AUD

1912 - $2,450 AUD

The collector value descends rapidly as the condition of the coin decreases.

Such a coin does not exist.

The first and only round Australian 50 cent coin issued for circulation was issued in 1966.

There was a round commemorative Proof coin issued in 2006, but not for circulation.

This link shows the specs for all current U.S. coins.

Australian predecimal banknotes do not have a year of issue or printing on them.

To work out the approximate year of issue of an Australian banknote, you need to find the names of the two signatories, both of which are on the front of the banknote, the serial number and the design or motif on the banknote, then ask somebody with an Australian banknote catalogue.

Good question, nobody has ever seen one.

The last Australian Shilling was minted in 1963.

The last British Shilling was minted in 1966.

The last New Zealand Shilling was minted in 1965.

Historically, John Macarthur was a significant figure in Australia. Known as the Father of Australia's sheep industry, he was a man with a great deal of influence in colonial Australia, and it was he who arranged for the first Merino sheep to be brought to Australia from Spain. The first Spanish Merino sheep were brought to Australia in 1796. This type of Merino was a tough sheep which could handle Australia's extreme conditions. There had been little initial success with grain growing - a situation that was rectified as the colony grew - but sheep were an excellent mainstay, easy to maintain and profitable for both domestic and overseas markets.

I am not sure that it was a matter of being so popular, it more likely simply because of the amount of tourism between Australia and New Zealand and the fact that you would always find the currency of one in the country of the other.

The first Australian Shilling was minted in 1910.

Prior to that, the colonies that were to become Australia, and for a few years after Federation, used the British currency.

There were 12 Pennies in a Shilling and 20 Shillings in a Pound. At the time of Australia's conversion to decimal currency in 1966, the Australian Shilling converted to 10 cents.

One British Shilling in 1800 had the purchasing power of about $4.20 AUD today.

One British Shilling in 1900 had the purchasing power of about $6.26 AUD today.

NOTE - This historical conversion is the result of many calculations and considerations for which I cannot take credit. The resulting answer should only be regarded as an approximation.

One pice of hefty elephant poo.

No country could afford to make gold Threepences. Most countries using the Threepence ceased to make them from silver between the late 1940's and the 1960's due to the high cost of silver.

Some coins may have developed tarnishing on the surface giving them a pale gold appearance.

Alternatively, somebody may have had the coin gold plated.