Lot 1597

Description

George V, Sydney mint proof or specimen shilling, 1921 star. Obverse with matte or frosted finish, reverse brilliant mirror-like with heavy die polishing striations on the fields (from polishing the table of the die), B.M. on truncation very sharp, struck with high wire rims, denticles clear and not double struck (as was the proof in Sale 24, lot 1167), FDC and extremely rare.

An RFX test shows the metal at approximately 700 fine (or .675 fine as the 1919 Melbourne mint trial shillings). The star in the die was to denote a reduction in silver from .925 fine which in the event did not occur until 1946. The other example we have handled was in Sale 12 (lot 607) and Sale 24 (lot 1167). There is a similar example in the Museum Victoria (ex Melbourne Mint) and one example turned up among a few coins found in furniture in a Lawsons' general sale over ten years ago (see PCGS file), probably from the estate of a Sydney Mint official.