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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 In 1939, this new design by George Kruger Gray superseded it - featuring the iconic leaping kangaroo.
Coins issued in 1960 were withdrawn at decimalisation in 1966 after six years in circulation, but have never been formally demonetised and are still legal tender.
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| Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Y. |
Total Mintage |
17,812,870 (17.8 million)
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the laureate young laureate bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right - her effigy known as the "First Portrait". The laurel wreath in the Queen's hair is tied with a ribbon with two ends flowing behind.
The designer's initials, M.G. (for Mary Gillick) appear incuse on the base of the shoulder truncation, and can be seen when the coin is viewed at an angle.
The monarch's legend runs continuously all around the bust: + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.
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| Reverse | |
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At centre a kangaroo leaping right; around above, AUSTRALIA; around below, the denomination HALF PENNY.. The date 1960 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.
The dot after the denomination is the mint mark of the Perth Mint on this issue (listed in catalogues as "Y."). |
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| Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Remick 1971 lists circulation mintage of 16,784,640 plus 1,030 proofs. |
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