Shilling 1921, Coin from Australia - detailed information

Shilling 1921, Coin from Australia (withdrawn 1966)
CoinShilling 1921

The Australian Shilling is a silver coin which was used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalisation. It has the same dimensions and composition as the British pre-decimal shilling, from which it is derived (for a time, the coins circulated in parallel and were interchangeable in Australia - but not in the United Kingdom). A shilling is equal to 1/20th of a pound.

The reverse of this first type of Australian shilling coins features the 1908 Coat of Arms. In 1938, a new design superseded this one - featuring a merino ram's head; the old type of coins remained in circulation.

Coins issued in 1921 were withdrawn at decimalisation in 1966 after 45 years in circulation, but have never been formally demonetised and are still legal tender.

MintSydney Mint Mint MarkStar Total Mintage 1,641,000 (1.6 million)
Obverse
Australia / Shilling 1921 - obverse photo

Crowned and draped bust of King George V facing left (crowned effigy by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal); the King is wearing the Imperial Crown and the ermine Robe of State, the Collar of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and the Badge of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

The artist's initials BM are in relief on the bust truncation.

Around, the monarch's legend GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·. Translated from Latin: George the Fifth, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India.

Obverse Inscription GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Reverse
Australia / Shilling 1921 - reverse photo

The reverse features the Ensigns Armorial of the Commonwealth of Australia, as authorised by Royal Warrant 7th May 1908.

At centre, simple shield enclosing a cross of Saint George on which are five six-pointed stars, around the outside of which are six small escutcheons (small shields). The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu standing on a grassy mound. Above the shield a crest, the seven-pointed star of Federation on a wreath and on a ribbon at the base, the motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA is inscribed.

Around above, the value and denomination ONE SHILLING; below, between arrow heads, the date 1921.

Above the date is a small star, which is the only instance where the star was used as a mint mark for the Sydney Mint. Unlike the previous year's pattern shilling, the star is not meant to indicate debased silver content. Because of its presence, the coin is known as a "star shilling" to collectors.

Reverse Inscription ONE SHILLING 1921 ADVANCE AUSTRALIA
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

This is one of the key dates of the series.

The Australian Coin Chart 1965 lists mintage of 522,000.

According to The Australian Coin Chart 1966: "Royal Mint figures indicate that 1,222,000 Shillings 1921 without Star mint mark were minted, but as none have been reported it seems reasonable to assume that they were not released for circulation".

Krause catalogues list the proof as having being struck at the Melbourne Mint. However, the Museums Victoria collection (which inherited the collection and archive of the Melbourne Mint) traces its provenance to a purchase from the Sydney Mint.

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Royal Mint
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Shilling 1921: Known varieties
Variety Proof
Images Australia / Shilling 1921 / Proof - obverse photo Australia / Shilling 1921 / Proof - reverse photo
Mintage Issued: unknown (included in total)
Shilling 1921: References to Information Used
All (47) coins of type: Shilling
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Shilling 1910 2,536,069 Portrait by George William de Saulles (Crowned Bust) EDWARDVS VII D:G: BRITT. OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1911 1,700,000 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1912 1,000,000 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1913 1,200,000 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1914 3,300,000 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1915 1,300,000 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1916 5,141,025 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1917 5,274,000 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1918 3,761,000 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1919 (pattern) unknown King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1920 520,000 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1921 1,641,000 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1922 2,039,924 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1924 673,658 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1925 1,448,794 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1926 2,352,100 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1927 1,146,050 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1928 664,000 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1931 1,000,570 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1933 220,000 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1934 480,100 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1935 500,000 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1936 2,000,000 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Mackennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP: ·
Shilling 1937 (pattern) unknown AUSTRALIA SHILLING 1937
Shilling 1938 1,484,250 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Shilling 1939 1,520,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Shilling 1940 760,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Shilling 1941 3,040,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Shilling 1942 5,380,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Shilling 1943 18,720,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Shilling 1944 22,576,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Shilling 1945 (not released) unknown King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Shilling 1946 11,388,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Shilling 1948 4,132,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Shilling 1950 7,188,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX FIDEI DEF.
Shilling 1952 19,644,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX FIDEI DEF.
Shilling 1953 12,204,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1954 16,188,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1955 7,493,200 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA F: D:
Shilling 1956 6,065,500 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA F: D:
Shilling 1957 12,669,256 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA F: D:
Shilling 1958 7,413,506 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA F: D:
Shilling 1959 10,877,506 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA F: D:
Shilling 1960 14,513,509 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA F: D:
Shilling 1961 31,865,506 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA F: D:
Shilling 1962 6,594,016 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA F: D:
Shilling 1963 10,074,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA F: D:
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Shilling 1921: Details
CountryAustralia
CurrencyAustralian Pound
Coin TypeShilling - Coat of Arms
Issued1921
MonarchKing George V
EffigyKing George V - Crowned Bust, by Bertram Mackennal
ReverseCoat of Arms of Australia, 1908
Face Value1 (x Shilling)
Total Mintage1,641,000 (1.6 million)
CurrentNo; withdrawn 1966
Material0.925 Silver
DesignerWilliam Henry James Blakemore
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size23.5000 mm
Mass5.6500 g
OCC IDRDKL-MEMK-CVZQ-ENZB
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Shilling 1921: Photos
ImageDetails
Shilling 1921: Photo Specimen Coin - 1 Shilling, Australia, 1921 / thumbnail Specimen Coin - 1 Shilling, Australia, 1921
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Proof.
Source
Shilling 1921: Photo Specimen Coin - 1 Shilling, Australia, 1921 / thumbnail Specimen Coin - 1 Shilling, Australia, 1921
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Proof.
Source
Shilling 1921: Photo Australia 1921 shilling / thumbnail Australia 1921 shilling
Copyright: CoinFactsWiki / CC BY-SA
Author:
Source
Shilling 1921: Photo Australia 1921 shilling / thumbnail Australia 1921 shilling
Copyright: CoinFactsWiki / CC BY-SA
Author:
Source
Shilling 1921: Catalogue Reference IDs