Lot 1539

Description

George V, Melbourne Mint pattern or trial shilling, 1919M. 'S' punched twice on either side of obverse and reverse fields. Struck in .625 fine silver (5.54 grams) as a trial in anticipation of reducing the silver standard. This coin and another similar to it was offered in our sale 36 (lot 1249). Both specimens were supplied to the Treasurer C.J. Cerutty who passed then on with other pattern square pennies and halfpennies and two 1918M shillings struck in .500 fine silver to his chauffer and thence by descent to various family members who disposed of this coin in about 1980. The only other example apart from these is an uncountermarked example in the Museum of Victoria (formerly in Melbourne Mint Collection). This is the rarest Australian Commonwealth coin. Toned unevenly otherwise nearly extremely fine and excessively rare.

Ex Spink Australia Sale 6 (lot 944).