Proof Coin - 1 Shilling, Australia, 1946

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Summary:: Australia
Shilling 1946 dot before SHILLING
Mint: Perth

Immediately after World War II the silver employed in the manufacture was dropped from sterling, .925 fine, to .500 fine. This was the first issue of the 50% silver coinage. The entire issue of 1945 shillings, which had been struck on the sterling silver standard, was still in store when the decision to debase was made, and all except two proofs of record were melted.

The Perth mint sought a contract to strike silver coins after the War as a way to employ the silver being recovered from gold. The mint mark employed to identify their product was an additional dot placed between the left Federation star and the word shilling.
Description:: A silver coin (23.5 mm diameter with milled edge) featuring a bare head of George VI facing left; around, GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: ; below bust in small lettering the artist's initials H.P.. The reverse features a ram's head facing three-quarters left; around above, AUSTRALIA, around below between two Federation stars, . SHILLING . 1946. The artist's initials, KG is in the field above the star on the right.
Acquisition Information:: Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 1976

Tagged with:	farm animals, gold, sheep, wars conflicts, world war ii 1939-1945
Themes this item is part of:	Numismatics & Philately Collection, George Kruger Gray, Designer, Painter & Medallist (1880-1943), HRH George VI (1895-1952), Perth Mint, Medal & Coin Makers, East Perth, Western Australia, Thomas Humphrey Paget, Medallist (1893-1974)
Primary Classification:	COINS
Secondary Classification:	Australia
Tertiary Classification:	proof strikes
Series:	Pre-decimal
DateEra:	1946 AD
Denomination:	1 Shilling
Obverse Description:	Bare head of George VI facing left; around, GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: The artis's initials H.P. in the field below the back of the neck.
Reverse Description:	Ram's head facing three-quarters left; around above, AUSTRALIA, around below between two Federation stars, . SHILLING . 1946. The artist's initials, KG is in the field above the star on the right.
Edge Description:	Milled
Inscriptions:	Obverse: GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP Reverse: AUSTRALIA SHILLING 1946 KG
Shape:	round
Material:	Silver
Issued By:	HM George VI, Australia, 1946
Mint:	Perth (Mint)
Artist:	Thomas Paget - Royal Mint, London
Artist:	George Gray - Royal Mint, London