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At times, coins may be quite surprising: thanks to their design features, low mintage figures, and outstanding circumstances that could boost their appeal. During the period of post-war recovery, even the most distant locations like Australia were minting coins that would later become quite noticeable worldwide.
The 1920 penny Australia value is compelling evidence of this claim. Nonetheless, one may wonder what makes this rare Australian penny so attractive. Well, what is so special about this numismatic creation, and what could be its price on the market today?
Introduction of the 1920 Australian Penny
Just like many other coins of the pre-decimal period, e.g., the 1933 Australian penny, the variety we are talking about today is collectible enough to become expensive. In fact, it was launched after World War I, and its goal was to show the upcoming prosperity of the nation and the national identity of the whole country.
The coin itself was minted under British authority during King George V’s reign, and its availability in higher grades is still limited, thanks to the period and circumstances in which it was struck.
“The 1920 Penny coins from Australia feature a complex and interesting variety set. No dies were ordered from the Royal Mint in London for production of penny coinage in Australia. Rather, the mints relayed on production dies made by the Melbourne Mint and leftover dies from London and the Bombay Mints.”
— Dylan Dominguez, Associate World Coin Grader
The Enigmatic Australia 1919 and 1920 Dot Penny Coins”, 2020 PCGS News
Design Features and Specifications
Obverse: Presents the left-facing profile of King George V, as well as the inscription “GEORGIVS V D.G. BRITT: OMN: REX F.D. IND: IMP:”, which can be translated into “George V, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India”.
Reverse: Focuses on the denomination of "ONE PENNY" itself, surrounded by the legend “COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA” and the date “1920”.
Main Specifications | |
Composition | Bronze (97% copper, 2.5% zinc, 0.5% tin) |
Weight | 9.45 g |
Diameter | 30.8 mm |
Thickness | 1.9 mm |
Edge | Plain |
Mint Marks | None typically |
1920 Penny Value Overview
It is an open secret that the most outstanding pieces (like the 1950 Australian penny) may boast a higher worth. The 1920 one penny Australia value, however, is also tied to the condition of the coin and the grade, attributed by a reputable grading agency like PCGS or NGC. So, given the fact that prices cannot be set by collectors in an instant, what is the current 1920 Australian penny value by grade?
Grade | Approximate Value (AUD) |
Good (G) | $5 – $10 |
Very Good (VG) | $10 – $20 |
Fine (F) | $20 – $40 |
Very Fine (VF) | $40 – $70 |
Extremely Fine (EF/XF) | $70 – $150 |
About Uncirculated (AU) | $150 – $300 |
Mint State (MS) | $300 – $800+ |
Some iterations of the pre-decimal era may be worth dozens or hundreds of times more than their face values suggest. Collect such creations and rest assured: the prices rarely go back.
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