| Coin | Halfpenny 1939 Kangaroo |
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The Australian halfpenny (or half penny) coin was the smallest circulating denomination of the Australian Pound. It has the same dimensions and composition as the British pre-decimal halfpenny, from which it is derived (for a time, the coins circulated in parallel and were interchangeable in Australia - but not in the United Kingdom; the currencies were fixed at par). 1/2 penny was worth 1/24 of a shilling, or 1/480 of a pound.
The reverse of the first type of Australian halfpenny coins featured text only. In 1939, this new design by George Kruger Gray superseded it - featuring the iconic leaping kangaroo.
Coins issued in 1939 were withdrawn at decimalisation in 1966 after 27 years in circulation, but have never been formally demonetised and are still legal tender.
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the bare head of King George VI facing left.
Below the neck truncation in small letters, the artist's initials HP (for [Thomas] Humphrey Paget).
Around, the monarch's legend: GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.. Translated from Latin: George the Sixth, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India.
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| Reverse | |
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At centre a kangaroo leaping right; around above, AUSTRALIA; around below, the value and denomination HALF PENNY. The date 1939 is below the kangaroo and the seven pointed Federation star follows the word PENNY. The artist's initials, KG (for [George] Kruger Gray) are below the kangaroo's tail near the rim. |
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| Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | This was the third year of issue in the name of King George VI. A leaping kangaroo similar to that employed on the penny from 1938, but leaping right instead of left, was adopted for the new design. This reverse form remained in use until the last halfpenny in 1964.
Remick's Catalogue of British Commonwealth Coins 1649 - 1971 lists circulation mintage of 782,400 plus 100 proofs. |
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