Penny 1964, Coin from Australia - detailed information

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.

Kangaroo leaping to the left; around above, the legend AUSTRALIA.

Around below, the denomination PENNY; the seven pointed Federation star is in the field to the left of the kangaroo and the date 1964 is in the field below its tail.

The artist's initials KG (for [George] Kruger Gray) are above the tip of the kangaroo's tail.

The dot after the denomination is the mint mark for the Perth Mint on this issue: PENNY. (listed as "Y." in catalogues). Melbourne Mint coins have no mint mark.

This was the last year that Australian pennies were issued.

Krause catalogues list the following mintages:
- Melbourne Mint: 49,130,000 (no proofs)
- Perth Mint: 54,590,000, plus 1 (one) proof

Renniks lists the following mintages:
- Melbourne Mint: 54,590,000 (no proofs) - 1983 edition; 10,000,000 (no proofs) - 2022 edition
- Perth Mint: 54,590,400 (no proofs), 1965 edition

References to additional information:

[Article] Holland, Paul M. Variation of Die Type of Australian Pennies: 1937 - 1964. Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia. 8