Select Coins & Banknotes

Quality Australian pennies

This page lists our current stock of Australian pennies and penny varieties. Our Australian halfpennies and pre-decimal silver coins are listed on separate pages.

We are continually uploading images to this page. Please email us for any jpg images not already here.

Five types of Australian pennies were minted.

First type Australian penny 1911 - 1936

Specifications: Diameter 30.8mm. Weight 9.45grams. Plain edge.
Metal composition: 97% copper, 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin.
Obverse: portrait of King George V by Sir Edgar Mackennal.
Reverse: ONE PENNY within a circle sculpted by W H J Blakemore

Year	Description	Grade	Price (A$)
1911	Much sought-after first date Australian penny, attractive lustre, mostly original red colour, but just starting to tone brownish red on the obverse (heads). No significant detracting flaws, strong eye appeal, almost Gem Unc but not quite. click here for image	Choice unc	1050
1911	Almost full original lustre, but a soft red colour, with only the lightest toning. Slight flattening of the obverse rim is noticeable, but does not detract unduly from near Gem Unc condition again. click here for image	Choice unc	795
1911	Highly attractive, considerable original red colour on the reverse, but the obverse (heads) has toned an even deep brown. No significant detracting flaws, better than average strike. click here for image	Unc	525
1911	Most attractive, considerable original red colour both sides, including under all the lettering. No significant detracting flaws, just the very lightest rubbing on the diamond and top pearls.	Unc/aUnc	175
1912	Highly attractive, mostly original red lustre both sides, but just starting to tone brownish red. No significant detracting flaws, strong eye appeal, almost Gem Unc but not quite. click here for image	Choice unc	1395
1912	Even dark toning, full eight pearls and centre diamond, no significant flaws. click here for image	gEF	245
1912	Limited circulation only, even brown toning, some wear to top two pearls, but clear centre diamond and no significant flaws	goodVF	35
1913	Reverse has considerable original red lustre, with light toning in the centre and some darker patches through the word COMMONWEALTH. Obverse is red and brown with light field flecking. Eight clear pearls and strong centre diamond, medium strike, excellent rims. click here for image	Unc	1175
1913	Significant original red lustre both sides, mostly underlying the lettering. Very light wear on top pearls only. Minimal handlingmarks. click here for image	aUnc/Unc	775
1914	Considerable original red lustre both sides, eight clear pearls and strong centre diamond, medium strike, no flaws. click here for image	Unc	2250
1914	Reverse traces of red lustre, eight clear pearls and strong centre diamond, no flaws. click here for image	aUnc/Unc	1390
1918	Red and brown colour, much original red. Eight clear pearls and strong centre diamond, no significant rim or surface blemishes. This is one of the hardest pennies to find in top grade. click here for image	Unc	2325
1920 dot above	Circulated condition, but quite collectable	Average	12
1920 dot below	Limited circulation only, even brown toning, some wear to top two pearls, but clear centre diamond and no significant flaws	goodVF	55
1920 dot below	Circulated condition, but quite collectable	Average	12
1920 double dot	Circulated condition, but quite collectable	Average	45
1920	Set of three coins: dot above, dot below and double dot, circulated condition	Average	65
1922	Highly attractive even brown colour, eight clear pearls, well-defined centre diamond, no obvious flaws.	EF	150
1923	Most attractive even brown colour, eight pearls, top two a little flat, well-defined centre diamond, some wear from limited circulation but no other obvious flaws.	aEF	75
1924	Highly attractive lustre both sides, almost full red, but with slightly streaky planchet metal. Strong strike, flawless rims and surfaces, outstanding eye appeal, almost Gem Unc but not quite. click here for image	Choice unc	2650
1925	Second hardest penny to find after the elusive 1930. This item has even dark brown colour, eight pearls, though the top two flattened a little, no other flaws. click here for image	goodVF/aEF	575
1925	Lovely specimen, even brown colour, six clear pearls, centre diamond defined, two very minor edge knocks, no other obvious flaws. click here for image	goodVF	475
1925	Another, attractive even brown colour, significant wear but clear fields and good rims, just one small flan flaw, else VF. Highly collectable.	good Fine	275
1926	Even brown colour, full eight pearls and clear centre diamond, though top two pearls flattened a little, well struck, no significant flaws	gEF/aUnc	155
1927	Attractive lustre, mostly original dark red colour. Strong eye appeal, almost Gem Unc but not quite. click here for image	Choice unc	975
1931	Standard date. Circulated condition, but quite collectable. click here for image	Average	10
1931 dropped I	Scarce. Interesting variety. Well circulated condition, but 6 clear pearls and no other detracting flaws. click here for image	Average	45
1932	Circulated, with some wear to top two pearls, but clear centre diamond and no significant flaws. click here for image	goodVF	20
1934	Strong strike, flawless rims and surfaces, lustrous red and brown. Eight clear pearls and strong centre diamond. Almost Choice unc. click here for image	Unc	265
1935	Full original golden red colour, both sides brilliant, near perfect rims and fields, well struck, full eight pearls and centre diamond. One of the finest we have seen. click here for image	Gem	1375
1935	Lustrous, deep red-brown colour with underlying bluish lustre, well struck, clear surfaces and rims. click here for image	Choice unc	725
1935	Significant original red lustre both sides, eight clear pearls and strong centre diamond, medium strike, excellent rims. click here for image	Unc	225
1936	Sourced from a collector in England. Slightly streaky planchet, as is common, but flawless surfaces and perfect rims. This coin is unusually sharply struck, with lots of that elusive 'eye appeal' required for a strict Gem grading. Colour is a most attractive original orange-red with minimal soft toning. Looks better in real life than in the scan. click here for image	Choice unc	725

back to top

Second type Australian penny 1938 - 1948

Specifications and composition unchanged.
Obverse: portrait of King George VI by Thomas H Paget.
Reverse: sculpture of Australian kangaroo by George Kruger Gray.

1938	Near perfect surfaces, soft original red-brown lustre, virtually as struck, lightest handling marks only; microscopic obverse flan flaws do not detract; most attractive, near gem	Choice unc	295
1938	Full original lustre, virtually as struck, lightest handling marks only	Choice unc	265
1939	Full original golden red lustre, just light toning mostly on the obverse; strong strike, clear surfaces and rims. Highly attractive. Perilously close to gem. click here for image	Choice unc	325
1940 Melb	Toned an even brown colour, some circulation, but no flaws	EF	35
1940 K.G	Toned even brown colour, circulated, but no significant flaws	VF	35
1941 Perth	Brown colour, well struck, minor handling marks mostly confined to the obverse	gEF/aUnc	55
1941 K.G	Original colour on dark red planchet, bright deep red lustre, medium strike only, no significant surface flaws, quite rare as such. One of the nicest we have seen.	Choice unc	1150
1941 K.G	Full red-brown original lustre, medium strike but flawless surfaces, rare as such.	Uncirculated	890
1941 K.G	Full red even colour both sides, but light rubbing on the high points	aUnc/Unc	325
1941 K.G	Toned brown, light rubbing on the high points, otherwise good rims and surfaces	EF	85
1942 Perth	Original colour on dark planchet, unusually bright red, medium strike, one small obverse carbon patch only, otherwise Choice unc	Unc	125
1942 India	Toned, but considerable underlying red colour, no surface blemishes	Unc	185
1942 India	Toned, but considerable original red colour, minor handling marks only	aUnc	85
1943 Melb	Lustrous deep red, flawless rims and surfaces	Choice unc	225
1943 Melb	Original red colour, microscopic surface flaws only, strong eye appeal	Unc	135
1943 Perth	Full original deep red colour, almost flawless rims and surfaces; minimal detracting marks. click here for image	Choice unc	235
1943 Perth	Original biscuit red colour, subdued lustre, flawless rims and surfaces	Unc	175
1943 Perth	Almost full red as struck, small but visible die cracks near obverse rim, soft strike, else choice unc	Unc	135
1943 India	Virtually full red, usual soft strike, just the lightest hint of toning, else gem	Choice unc	245
1943 India	Toned a dark purple red, flawless surfaces and rims	Choice unc	195
1944 Melb	Full original dark red colour, almost flawless rims and surfaces, lightest planchet streaking, but unusually even colour. Perilously close to Gem. click here for image	Choice unc	1150
1944 Melb	Full original deep red colour, no significant wear, but a few light dings from limited circulation	aUnc/Unc	295
1944 Melb	Attractive subdued lustre, light wear evident. Rare	gEF/aUnc	95
1944 Perth	Full original rainbow red colour, as struck, medium strike, strong eye appeal. Almost gem.	Choice unc	195
1944 Perth	Most attractive, full original colour, relatively strong strike, light obverse field bag mark does not detract unduly; near gem	Choice unc	165
1944 Perth	Original biscuit red colour, subdued lustre, flawless rims and surfaces, soft strike, almost choice uncirculated	Unc	125
1944 Perth	Dark red colour, minimal surface marks, soft strike	aUnc/Unc	75
1945 Perth	Deep chocolate brown colour as usual for Perth mint coins, full original burnt copper lustre, soft strike only, excellent surfaces and rims, no significant blemishes. click here for image	Choice unc	225
1945 Perth	Attractive subdued lustre,deep red colour, light handling marks only; near choice	Unc	185
1946	Third most difficult penny to find. Extremely rare this good. Dark toning as usual, original shiny red lustre underlying obverse lettering, some darker planchet streaks and metal weakness as is common, but no other significant flaws. Almost choice unc	Unc	4250
1946	Well struck, even brown colour. Faint vestiges of original red lustre (not visible in scan). click here for image	good VF/aEF	295
1946	Circulated, but well struck, excellent rims, even brown colour. No significant flaws. click here for image	good fine	125
1946	Some wear, but well struck, even brown colour. No significant flaws.	Fine	65
1947 Melb	Attractive subdued lustre, no significant handling marks, strong strike	Choice unc	185
1947 Melb	Deep red lustre, fine die crack through roo's tail, small reverse carbon patch, brilliant obverse, strong strike, excellent eye appeal	Choice unc	155
1947 Perth	Full original red colour, soft strike as usual, only very minimal mint handling marks. Very rare	Choice unc	1290
1947 Perth	Almost full original colour, but a soft brownish red, soft strike as usual, no significant handling marks, almost choice unc condition except that lustre is a little dull. Still very hatd to find this good	Unc	775
1947 Perth	Mostly brown but traces of original red under the lettering	gEF/aUnc	195
1947 Perth	Even brown toning, no flaws, minimal wear	EF	95
1947 Perth	Circulated, but even brown toning, no major flaws. click here for image	good VF	35
1948 Melb	Full red, superb, dark metal streaks do not detract, near gem	Choice unc	85
1948 Melb	Mostly full red, just lightest toning	Unc	55
1948 Perth	Almost as struck, with full original lustre. Brownish red colour, slightly darker than usual. Small planchet flaw does not detract unduly. Medium strike. Clear surfaces. Very rare. click here for image	Choice unc	1475
1948 Perth	Virtually as struck, usual soft biscuit brown colour, full original even lustre. Medium to strong strike. Very rare.	Uncirculated	775

back to top

Third type Australian penny 1949 - 1952

Specifications and composition unchanged.
Obverse: IND:IMP deleted from the inscription and the letters F:D expanded to FIDEI DEF.
Reverse: unchanged.

1949	Full red, superb	Gem	145
1949	Mostly full red, just lightest flecking	Choice unc	95
1950 Melb	Full original red colour, as struck. click here for image	Gem	95
1950 Melb	Mostly full red, just lightest toning	Choice unc	65
1950 Perth	Full original golden red colour, especially vibrant colours on the obverse, medium strike only as usual, flawless rims and surfaces, light planchet streaking does not detract. Strong eye appeal.	Gem	725
1950 Perth	Full original dark red lustre, unusually well struck, minimal spotting from the mint process does not detract.	Choice unc	495
1950 Perth	Brownish planchet colour as usual, but good strike and excellent surfaces and rims	Unc	195
1951 Melb	Full original red colour, as struck	Gem	85
1951 Melb	Mostly full red, just very lightest toning	Choice unc	65
1951 Melb	Mostly full red, light toning, minimal handling marks	Unc	45
1951 PL	Full original pinkish-orange colour, as struck, as good as they come	Gem	95
1951 PL	Full original pinkish-orange colour, as struck, just the faintest appearance of scuffing due mainly to the inevitable die wear. click here for image	Choice unc	70
1951 PL	Mostly full red, just lightest toning	Unc	45
1952 Melb	Full original red colour, as struck	Gem	95
1952 Melb	Virtually full red, just lightest toning, otherwise gem	Unc	65
1952 Perth	Superb golden red original lustre, flawless rims and surfaces, obverse rainbow colours, near gem	Choice unc	150
1952 Perth	Full original lustre, as struck, darker red planchet as is common for Perth minted coins, obverse rainbow colours, strong eye appeal. click here for image	Choice unc	115
1952 Perth	Almost full red, unusually bright, clear surfaces, just the lightest bag marks only. click here for image	Unc	65
1952 Perth	Mostly full red, light bag marks only	aUnc	25

back to top

Fourth type Australian penny 1953

Specifications and composition unchanged.
Obverse: Sculpture of Queen Elizabth II by Mary Gillick.
Reverse: unchanged.

1953 Melb	Mostly red, but some light even brownish toning, no significant surface blemishes	Unc	65
1953 Perth	Full original lustre, as struck, darker red colour as usual for Perth minted coins	Choice unc	95
1953 Perth	Original lustre, very light surface marks only	Unc	65
1953 Perth	Red and brown, lightest wear only	aUnc	25

back to top

Fifth type Australian penny 1955 - 1964

Specifications and composition unchanged.
Obverse: inscription changed to include F:D.
Reverse: unchanged.

1955 Melb	Lovely f ull original brilliant red lustre, near gem	Choice unc	135
1955 Melb	Perfect surfaces and rims, superb brilliant reverse - best we have ever seen, obverse has some even darker toning which does not detract from outstanding eye appeal, almost gem	Choice unc	115
1955 Melb	Full original brilliant lustre, prooflike surfaces, toned a rich purple-red	Choice unc	110
1955 Perth	Full original red colour, but slightly dull lustre as is common with Perth coins, otherwise no flaws whatsoever	Choice unc	95
1955 Perth	Mostly full red, light toning, minimal handling marks, no significant flaws	Unc	55
1956 Melb	Full original red colour, as struck	Gem	145
1956 Melb	Full original flame red colour, brilliant lustre, just very light carbon spots and obverse toning patches, otherwise Gem	Choice unc	95
1956 Perth	Full original red colour, but subdued lustre, microscopic contact marks only	Unc	65
1956 Perth	Mostly full red, light toning, minimal handling marks	aUnc/Unc	35
1957 Perth	Full original red colour, almost as struck, quite hard to find	Choice unc	25
1957 Perth	Mostly full red, light toning, minimal handling marks	Unc	15
1958 Melb	Full original red colour, as struck	Gem	95
1958 Melb	Full original red colour, as struck, slightly streaked planchet, else Gem	Choice unc	55
1958 Melb	Mostly full red, light toning, minimal handling marks	Unc	15
1958 Perth	Full original rainbow red colour, as struck, slightly darker obverse	Choice unc	55
1958 Perth	Full original red colour, as struck, microscopic bagging marks only	Unc	20
1959 Melb	Full original colour, near gem	Choice unc	195
1959 Melb	Attractively toned	Unc	90
1959 Perth	Almost full original red colour, but slightly streaky planchet as usual	Choice unc	45
1960	Full original colour, soft strike	Choice unc	45
1960	Almost full original colour, light toning only	Unc	25
1961	Full original red colour, as struck, ex mint roll	Gem	35
1961	Full colour, as struck, ex mint roll, five coins @ special price	Gem	125
1961	Almost full original colour, just the lightest toning	Unc	15
1962	Full original red colour, as struck, ex mint roll	Gem	15
1962	Full colour, as struck, ex mint roll, five coins @ special price	Gem	60
1962	Almost full original colour, just the lightest toning	Unc	6
1963	Full original red colour, as struck, ex mint roll	Gem	15
1963	Full colour, as struck, ex mint roll, five coins @ special price	Gem	60
1963	Almost full original colour, just the lightest toning	Unc	6
1964 Melb	Full original red colour, as struck, ex mint roll	Gem	7
1964 Melb	Full colour, as struck, ex mint roll, five coins @ special price	Gem	30
1964 Perth	Full original red colour, as struck, ex mint roll	Gem	7
1964 Perth	Full colour, as struck, ex mint roll, five coins @ special price	Gem	30
1964 Perth	Full colour, as struck, with interesting die crack through the obverse star. click here for image	Gem	25

back to top

Australian penny varieties and oddities

1922	Spectacular die crack from C in commonwealth through to A in Australia	Average	25
1922	Extensive die crack through reverse legend from C to F	gFine	18
1922	Die crack through reverse legend from P through inner circle then through EA to rim	aFine	12
1924	Filled 4 variety	Fine	15
1927	Die crack through obverse legend from VS through to D.G	aFine	12
1931 dropped I	Scarce. Interesting variety. Well circulated condition, but 6 clear pearls and no other detracting flaws. click here for image	Average	45
1941K.G	Die crack through reverse legend from Y through roo's tail to rim	aFine	12
1942 India	Missing I variety. Well circulated condition, but quite scarce	average	25
1943 Perth	Almost full red as struck, small but visible die cracks near obverse rim, soft strike, else choice unc	Unc	135
1943 Perth	Reverse die crack through 3 and roo's tail	Fine	10
1943 Perth	Small reverse die crack through ALIA and roo's tail	average	10
1943 India	Long denticles variety and dot before and after penny	VF	45
1947 Perth	Several reverse die cracks. Highly unusual	gFine	18
1949	Bitten edge	gFine	8
1952 Melb	Fairly dramatic flan flaw with metal missing from the reverse underneath ENNY and date	EF	35
1962	Double nose variety, much original lustre. click here for image	aUnc	35
1964 Perth	Full colour, as struck, with interesting die crack through the obverse star. click here for image	Gem	25

How to order
There are two easy ways to order items from this site.
1. Email. Send an email to aussiecoins@iprimus.com.au to check items are still in stock. We will confirm availability by return email and advise the postage and handling charges applicable. You may then pay by direct deposit, PayPal or mail us a cheque.
2. Post. Mail us a personal cheque, bank cheque or money order together with your name, mailing address, plus details of the items ordered. Don’t forget to add the charge for packaging and postage. (Refer home page.)

Selling your coins
Please contact us at aussiecoins@iprimus.com.au if you have any Australian coins or banknotes to sell.

back to top