| Coin | Shilling 1945 (not released) |
|---|
|
Immediately after World War II the silver employed in the manufacture of Australian coins was dropped from sterling (0.925 fine) to 0.500 fine. The entire issue of 1945 shillings, which had been struck on the sterling silver standard, was still in store when the decision to debase was made, and all except some proofs of record were melted. |
| Mint | Melbourne Mint |
Mint Mark | No mint mark |
Total Mintage |
unknown
, Rarity: R7 (Highest rarity possible, 3 or less examples known) |
|
| Obverse | |
|---|
The obverse of the coin shows the bare (uncrowned) 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.
|
|
|
| Reverse | |
|---|
A merino ram's head facing three-quarters left; around above, AUSTRALIA; around below between two Federation stars, the denomination and date SHILLING · 1945.
The artist's initials K·G (for [George] Kruger Gray) are in the field above the star on the right. |
|
|
| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
|
| Notes | According to Greg McDonald's "Australian Coins and Banknotes" Catalogue:
"Three pieces were found during a "stocktake" at the Museum Victoria by the curator, John Sharples, in the late 1970's."
This coin is not listed in Krause catalogues. |
|---|
|
Search for Australia: Shilling 1945 (not released) on eBay 