While some may be hard to spot, coins with small minting mistakes - known as 'mules' by collectors - can easily fetch thousands of dollars. A rare $1 Australian coin with a minting error was. Although not the rarest Australian coin, the 1930 Penny is the most sought. $19,500.00 inc GST Australia 1921 Square Penny Trial Type 12 UNC SOLD With only a few hundred struck, possibly as few as 100-200 pieces.
The obvious answer to this one is its value. The Proof 1930 Penny is Australia's million-dollar penny. Nearly everyone knows it. And is proud of the fact.
But there are two other reasons why the Proof 1930 Penny is so famous. It is a ‘penny'. And it has the date ‘1930' on it, the year '1930' being the key.
Australians just love their pennies. It was the coin that everyone was familiar with. The round copper that you had in your pocket. The coin that, as a child, you might be given to go to the corner shop to buy a MacRobertson's Freddo Frog.
And the 1930 Penny is the rare one! It was the coin that could bring instant wealth to those lucky to find one in their change. Poker unblocked.
Australia was socially and economically blitzed in 1930 during the Great Depression. And there was no requirement to produce pennies for circulation.
But somehow a few pennies were accidentally produced at the Melbourne Mint and released into circulation. The suggested figure a miserly fifteen hundred 1930 Pennies.
The accidental minting of the 1930 Penny was not discovered until the 1940s, dealers responding to the discovery by offering to pay up to 10/- for an example. By 1960 the 1930 Penny had become a national symbol, newspapers instrumental in creating that image with television also playing a role. By 1965, an average used 1930 Penny had more than doubled in price to £120. And by decimal currency changeover, the price had moved to £255 ($510) and the 1930 Penny had captured the imagination of collectors and non-collectors alike.
Today a well-used genuine 1930 Penny can be worth upwards of $20,000.
A coin collector has revealed how to spot the coins in your pocket that could be worth big bucks – including this very special 5c piece..
A coin collector has revealed how to spot the coins in your pocket that could be worth big bucks – including this very special 5c piece.
Small change could mean big bucks. Picture: Jamie HansonSource:News Corp Australia
Brad Sanders became a coin collector after discovering a rare coin in his possession, and he's shared some tips and tricks for others to also become rich.
The Adelaide man's penchant for coin collecting began after he couldn't find a 5c coin dating back to 1972.
He had $100 worth of 5c pieces that covered every year except 1972.
'I couldn't believe it so I started doing my research and found out,' he told 7 News.
RELATED: How to spot $1 coin worth thousands
RELATED: The death of the 5c coin
This 5c piece from 1972 could fetch up to $200. Credit: 7 NewsSource:Channel 7
After doing some research, he discovered that very few coins had been minted in that year, making the coins that had been very valuable.
The Royal Australian Mint's website reveals that in 1972 just 8.3 million coins were created. For comparison, 48.8 million were printed the following year.
Mr Sanders found a 5c coin from 1972 and it sold for a whopping $200 — more than all his other 5c coins combined.
Australians just love their pennies. It was the coin that everyone was familiar with. The round copper that you had in your pocket. The coin that, as a child, you might be given to go to the corner shop to buy a MacRobertson's Freddo Frog.
And the 1930 Penny is the rare one! It was the coin that could bring instant wealth to those lucky to find one in their change. Poker unblocked.
Australia was socially and economically blitzed in 1930 during the Great Depression. And there was no requirement to produce pennies for circulation.
But somehow a few pennies were accidentally produced at the Melbourne Mint and released into circulation. The suggested figure a miserly fifteen hundred 1930 Pennies.
The accidental minting of the 1930 Penny was not discovered until the 1940s, dealers responding to the discovery by offering to pay up to 10/- for an example. By 1960 the 1930 Penny had become a national symbol, newspapers instrumental in creating that image with television also playing a role. By 1965, an average used 1930 Penny had more than doubled in price to £120. And by decimal currency changeover, the price had moved to £255 ($510) and the 1930 Penny had captured the imagination of collectors and non-collectors alike.
Today a well-used genuine 1930 Penny can be worth upwards of $20,000.
A coin collector has revealed how to spot the coins in your pocket that could be worth big bucks – including this very special 5c piece..
A coin collector has revealed how to spot the coins in your pocket that could be worth big bucks – including this very special 5c piece.
Small change could mean big bucks. Picture: Jamie HansonSource:News Corp Australia
Brad Sanders became a coin collector after discovering a rare coin in his possession, and he's shared some tips and tricks for others to also become rich.
The Adelaide man's penchant for coin collecting began after he couldn't find a 5c coin dating back to 1972.
He had $100 worth of 5c pieces that covered every year except 1972.
'I couldn't believe it so I started doing my research and found out,' he told 7 News.
RELATED: How to spot $1 coin worth thousands
RELATED: The death of the 5c coin
This 5c piece from 1972 could fetch up to $200. Credit: 7 NewsSource:Channel 7
After doing some research, he discovered that very few coins had been minted in that year, making the coins that had been very valuable.
The Royal Australian Mint's website reveals that in 1972 just 8.3 million coins were created. For comparison, 48.8 million were printed the following year.
Mr Sanders found a 5c coin from 1972 and it sold for a whopping $200 — more than all his other 5c coins combined.
He and his partner Cristy have now become avid coin collectors, buying, sorting, and selling thousands of coins every year.
As well as watching out for coins from 1972, Mr Sanders also said to look out for
Another special coin is the 2012 Remembrance Day $2 coin, which has in the past sold for $200.
He says it's also worth checking for abnormalities such as stamping errors like double rims or upside down queens.
'If you have coins around check your change jars,' he said.
Earlier this year, a $1 coin made the news after it was listed on a coin collecting website for $4000, because of a minting mistake.
This $1 mule coin is up for sale for an exorbitant fee on a coin collecting site.Source:News Corp Australia
Rare Australian Coins Value
Other experts have spoken out, urging people to double check their golds and silvers.
Rare Australian Coins $2
Coin expert David Jobson told The Morning Show last month that all it takes is one mistake at the mint to make you 'get lucky'.
Mr Jobson said the value of the coin depends on its quality – a really high quality coin could go for $4000 or $5000, while one that's poor quality is only worth about $300 or $400.
He also recently sold a 20-cent coin with scalloped edges – caused by a printing mistake with a Hong Kong coin – valued at a staggering $20,000.
Rare Australian Coins Worth Money
