This week’s preview for the Stack’s Bowers August ANA world coin auction
is a departure from our previously highlighted coins from this sale. Notably,
today’s featured coin is struck in base metal and is fairly modern. However,
this only serves to heighten its desirability, as it is a significant pattern
piece from Australian numismatics. The Kookaburra patterns of 1919-21 came
about after the Australian Commonwealth Government considered replacing the
cumbersome bronze ½ Penny and Penny (5.67 and 9.4 gms respectively) with a
copper-nickel ½ Penny and Penny issue (approximately 1.97 and 3.8 gms
respectively). The coinage would differ in size, in shape (the new patterns
were square in design) and would feature a simplified head (rather than the
full bust), with the reverse design dominated by a perched Kookaburra bird.
Multiple circumstances prevented their dispersal. First, the cost of importing
nickel was significantly higher than using locally produced metals. Second, the
country’s vending machines were designed for round pennies, and the cost of
renovating the machines for the proposed square pieces was prohibitive. Though
the experiment failed to bring about reform, an elite subset of collectors can
now enjoy this treasured and rare piece of Australian numismatics.
While we are no longer accepting consignments for our August 2017 ANA
Auction, we are currently taking consignments of world and ancient coins as
well as world paper money for our October 2017 Collectors Choice Online Auction
and the January 2018 New York International Auction. Time is running short, so
if you are interested in consigning your coins and paper currency (whether a
whole collection or a single rarity) be sure to contact one of our consignment
directors.
