1999 FIVE CENTS - .999 Silver 1939 Halfpenny

Obverse:Queen Elizabeth II - Design by Ian Rank-Broadley.
Legend: ELIZABETH. II. AUSTRALIA 1999 - FIVE CENTS
Reverse:1939 Halfpenny - Design by George Kruger Gray.
Legend: AUSTRALIA 1939 HALF PENNY
Edge:Reeded - continuous mill.
Weight:5.53 grams.
Size:25.00 mm (diameter).
Composition:.999 Silver
Mintage:Canberra - 15,000.
Mintmarks:None.

Valuation :
1999 FIVE CENTS - .999 Silver - 1939 Halfpenny

Proof
20028

Notes:

This coin was not issued for circulation. It was included as part of a 6 coin proof Masterpieces in Silver - Coins of the 20th Century - Memories set released by the Canberra mint.

Australia Goes to War ... Again

Menzies was Prime Minister. Australia was at war once again and bidding farewell from her shores not only her young men, but also her women. At home, aviatrix Nancy Bird Walton was Commandant of the Women's Air Training Corp, while Sister Elizabeth Kenny pioneered new treatments for polio.

Without any real explanation, the 1939 halfpenny, designed by George Kruger Gray, became the only non-commemorative coin to have two different reverse designs circulating in the same year.

Late in 1939, the design of the halfpenny was changed to show a leaping kangaroo facing in the opposite direction to the original 'Roo' design on the penny. As only 782,500 of the coins with the new design were minted, today they represent a challenge for collectors wishing to acquire them.

It is interesting to note that the 1939 halfpenny had a plain edge while the 1999 five cents replica has a reeded edge.

Source: Booklet accompanying the 1999 Masterpieces in Silver - Coins of the 20th Century - Memories - Set.

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