Lot 168
The finest known Australian circulating coin of George V
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Notes:
- The Australian George V 1916 Sixpence recently graded MS68 by PCGS becomes the thirtieth, and certainly the most important, Australian Pre-decimal coin to achieve this penultimate grade. It should be noted that the other twenty-nine coins graded at this level are hoard dates of the Queen Elizabeth II series from the 1950s and 60s that still exist protected in mint rolls. Unlike the 1916 Sixpence they are likely be equaled or possibly bettered in years to come. Collectors of the George V series in Australian coins know that the centre jewel in the crown has always been pivotal in assessing the grade of a coin. A fully formed centre 'diamond' in the band of the crown worn by King George is the starting point that elevates a coin to a collectable Very Fine grade. How then do you attempt to describe the huge leap in quality from a collector coin in VF30 to one nearing perfection at the other end of the collector scale. To begin, the M(int) S(tate) grading system tops out at MS70, but it is highly debatable that a coin destined for circulation and not carefully struck for collector sets should ever be given this accolade. There will always be some slight marks attributable to the coin's production. Even those coins carefully struck and selected for inclusion in mass-produced mint sets will show some infinitesimal imperfections - and as evidence the worlds' mints have in recent decades applied spray lacquer to the surfaces of their 'mint' coins to mask slight defects so as to present them as perfect. Thus you do get so-called 'circulation' strikes taken from modern issue 'mint' sets appearing in MS70 holders. However, if you dismiss tarted-up lacquered coins from the mix then an MS69 is the likely ultimate grade for any true circulation strike, which accords the 1916 Sixpence in MS68 the penultimate grade. This 1916 Sixpence comes with a strong provenance. It was once lauded the finest coin in the Parkhill Collection when it was sold in 1994. Thereafter it found pride of place in the renowned Adler Sixpence Collection before finding a home in the Benchmark Collection. When the Benchmark Collection was graded by NGC in 2014 it was given an MS68, a grade now acknowledged by PCGS. Since it's public debut it has always been regarded by the informed collector as the finest known Australian circulation coin across all denominations and series. It is currently without peer and that is why it is considered 'the Jewel in the Crown' in the Australian Pre-Decimal coin series.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| A$0 | A$99 | A$5 |
| A$100 | A$999 | A$10 |
| A$1,000 | A$4,999 | A$50 |
| A$5,000 | A$9,999 | A$100 |
| A$10,000 + | A$250 |