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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 In 1938, a new design superseded this one - featuring a merino ram's head; the old type of coins remained in circulation.
Coins issued in 1931 were withdrawn at decimalisation in 1966 after 35 years in circulation, but have never been formally demonetised and are still legal tender.
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| Mint | Melbourne Mint |
Mint Mark | No mint mark |
Total Mintage |
1,000,570 (1.0 million)
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| Obverse | |
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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.
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| Reverse | |
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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 1931. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
ONE SHILLING 1931 ADVANCE AUSTRALIA |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Krause catalogues list mintage of 1,000,000. |
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