Hey everyone! I’ve got another fantastic “9 Questions” for you today, featuring insights all the way from Australia. Fellow collector Simon has shared his expertise on pennies and other Australian coins with us.
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Let’s dive in…
I own two Australian 2014 Centenary of the Victoria Cross $10 copper coins. Weighing in at nearly 100 grams each, these coins have skyrocketed in value after selling out—from an initial $100 plus $12 postage to $400-$500 on eBay. The mint used a ballot system for purchases, so luck played a big part in acquiring one.
My fascination with coins started with a 1947 Australian Florin. I stumbled upon it in a drawer one day, and my curiosity about coins—and their worth—was instantly piqued.
The Australian 1972 5 cent coin is particularly memorable. Though most Australian 5 cent coins have a mintage exceeding 100 million, the 1972 coin had a modest mintage of only 8 million. Collectors are willing to pay around $10-$15 on eBay for one. I found one among my pocket change and another in someone’s pocket while doing laundry—a nice profit for a 5 cent coin!
I once spent $125 on an Australian 1925 penny, which is the second rarest coin in the Australian penny series. (Australian pennies differ significantly from American ones, so do check them out if you’re curious.)
My best deals were during my childhood, when I traded coins with friends at the school canteen to complete my collections. I still have those coins, and these days they’re almost impossible to find!
While I haven’t encountered any major issues yet, I remain cautious, as some people might resort to deceit for a quick buck.
I’m particularly fond of Australian 50 cent coins because of their array of commemorative designs—around 30-40—that are challenging to collect. I have them all except one, the latest release that I’ve yet to find.
When it comes to collecting coins, patience is key. Good things come to those who wait, and trust me, you’ll have plenty of amazing experiences in coin collecting down the road.
The Australian 1930 Penny is known as “The King of Australian Coins,” valued at around $30,000 in average condition. Its proof version rarely surfaces, but when it does, it can fetch over $1,000,000.
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Simon lives in New South Wales, Australia, and has been collecting Australian coins for about three years. He has amassed over 1,000 coins from more than 25 countries and is always eager to see where the hobby will take him next.
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