1999  TEN CENTS - .999 Silver 1930 Penny

Obverse:Queen Elizabeth II - Design by Ian Rank-Broadley.
Legend: ELIZABETH. II. AUSTRALIA 1999 - TEN CENTS
Reverse:1930 Penny - Design by W. H. J. Blakemore.
Legend: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA 1930 ONE PENNY
Edge:Reeded - continuous mill.
Weight:8.36 grams.
Size:30.00 mm (diameter).
Composition:.999 Silver
Mintage:Canberra - 15,000.
Mintmarks:None.

Valuation :
1999 TEN CENTS - .999 Silver - 1930 Penny

Proof
2002

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.

Triumph Through Depression

In a time of depression, the early 1930's also represented triumph as Sir Douglas Mawson led Australian, British and New Zealand explorers to the Antarctic. History was also being made in the world of coin collecting.

Because of the Great Depression, the Melbourne Mint released only 1930 dated halfpennies. No issues of the 1930 penny were made to the Commonwealth of Australia, yet it is believed that up to 3,000 of them were struck.

It is thought the pennies may have been produced when Mint guides showed visitors how the presses worked and used 1930 dated penny dies in the demonstrations. Visitors souvenired the pennies by swapping them with similar ones from their pockets. W.H.J. Blakemore, the designer of the reverse of the coin, had no idea of the notoriety this coin would achieve.

It is interesting to note that the 1930 penny had a plain edge while the 1999 ten 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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