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Lot 501    Session 2 (11.30am Wednesday)   

Estimate $80
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $120

AUSTRALIA, George V, unofficial square flan 'Pattern Florin or two shillings', dated 1920, struck in darkened copper, together with a hand made lead striking (these being unique), obv. finely detailed crowned bust of king, rev. numeral 2 and koala climbing, by Donald R. Golder. Edge plain. Uncirculated. (2)

The following lots are trial strikings. There is a complete set of hand-made thick (darkened copper) (one of two sets made) and another set of hand-made lead strikings (each is unique), produced to test the dies for the continuation of the 'Patina' series of retro pattern Australia square coins. These the two shilling, one shilling, sixpence and threepence patterns finish the series which began with the production of a small number of five shilling patterns (also dated 1920 and 1921) made in 1999. All these pieces were designed and engraved by the British sculptor Donald R. Golder and were minted in Birmingham United Kingdom, in 2002. The theme of Australian animals is based on the legacy of the experimental 'kookaburra' pattern pennies and halfpennies c.1919-1921. Although no square florins, shillings, sixpences or threepences were produced. The idea of changing from circulating round coins to square ones was mooted and a number of private persons and companies submitted designs and sketches, all of which featured a kookaburra. Among those submitting designs were Stokes and Sons of Melbourne, Douglas Richardson and Bertram Mackennal. The public were not fond of the small experimental coins and the idea seemed to lose favour with Treasury. The adoption of larger denominations was never discussed and it is possible that if a complete series of denominations and other animal designs had been produced then the Australian public may have warmed to the idea of a square coinage. This 'what if...' series of patterns by D.R. Golder seek to show what a square coinage series could have looked like.