The Australian Proof Penny was minted in 1930
1930 – The Magic Penny
The Proof 1930 Penny is the cornerstone of Australia’s rare coin industry. Worth in excess of $1.5 million, it is Australia’s most valuable coin and one of the most valuable copper coins in the world.
There’s still a small chance of finding a 1930 Penny in grandma’s old button jar or down the back of her sofa, but don’t bother looking for a Proof 1930 Penny. Only six of them were ever struck, and they’re all accounted for.
And if you’re thinking of buying one, expect to write a cheque with seven figures on it.
The Proof 1930 Penny was especially struck at the Melbourne Mint as a mini work-of-art. It was intended to be a showpiece, a perfect example of the 1930 Penny, and that’s exactly what it is.
The blanks used to strike the coins were polished to a mirror finish. The dies were especially treated to ensure a crisp and highly detailed striking. The result is a coin that is visually stunning – something to look at but definitely never to touch.
Of the six 1930 Pennies that were struck to proof quality, one is held by the British Museum, a second by the Museum of Victoria, and a third by the Art Gallery of South Australia.
The remaining three coins are held with Coinworks clients.
One of the most famous rare coins is the Australian Proof 1930 Penny with only six pieces minted. Deemed as the most valuable coin in Australia and the most valuable copper coin in the world, it was sold in 2005 for $517, 345 and has a current market value of more than a million dollars.
History/Background
The Australian Proof Penny was minted in 1930 at the Melbourne Mint for archival purposes, in other words, as a memorial or commemorative coin. It was never intended to be circulated but was only made to preserve a part of Australian history.
There were only six of these made and all of them are accounted for or recorded: three of the 1930 Australian copper pennies are in the possession of private collectors while the other three are kept by the British Museum, Museum of Victoria, and the Art Gallery of South Australia.
