Lot 1453

Description

George VI, Melbourne Mint proof or pattern penny, 1945. Brilliant striking with full mint red obverse and reverse, the finest example available for private collection, FDC and excessively rare.

Duplicate from the Museum of Victoria Collection. This coin is one of four 1945 Melbourne Mint proof pennies that were retained by the mint in 1945. In that year pennies for circulation in Australia were all to be struck by the Perth Mint with dies supplied from Melbourne. However, the original 1937 George VI master tools had become worn and in early 1945 the Melbourne Mint undertook to make new masters. The four proof pennies were part of the tests of these new tools before new dies were prepared for Perth. The Melbourne Mint coin collection, including the four 1945 pennies, was transferred to the Museum of Victoria in 1978. The Museum will be retaining two examples. One of the four coins was sold in Spink Australia Sale 25 (lot 953) and resold in Noble Numismatics Sale 83 (lot 1418).