Australian 1930 Penny

This specimen 1930 Australian penny was struck in August 1930 at the Royal Mint Melbourne and arrived at the Gallery in October the same year, when Sedley Towler (c.1862–1931) was Keeper of Coins. Her predecessor, Alfred Chitty (1911–1917), had arranged to acquire all the coins struck at the Melbourne Mint, and she continued this practice. The highlight of the Gallery’s numismatics collection is undoubtedly this highly valuable and sought-after 1930 penny. For years the mint stated that no 1930 pennies were struck, but they were, and it is now believed that around 1500 examples exist.

The obverse die, depicting the king, was designed by the Australian-born sculptor, Edgar Bertram Mackennal (1862–1931), and the die was cut in India. The image of the crowned King George V was used on all Australian coins dating from 1911 to 1936. The reverse die, with the value in the centre, was designed by British-born William Henry James Blackmore (1871–1945), who worked at the Royal Mint in London. The die was cut at the Royal Mint London. The design was used throughout the reign of George V.