As a beginner in any hobby, the jargon can be a little confusing. Collecting Australian silver coins is no different. There are many terms used to describe both the quality and physical characteristics of coins. If you’re not aware what these terms mean, your head can end up spinning in no time.
In the first part of our glossary, let’s look at the jargon related to coin quality (grading). This list is arranged in decreasing order of quality.
Fleur de Coin (FDC): Literally translates as “flower of the die”. This is the highest grade of coin. As you would expect, everything should be perfect - the design sharp (due to the quality of the strike) with absolutely no signs of wear and certainly no marks. While the coins should still have their original luster, it is acceptable for silver coins to have a patina. This term can describe both proof and circulated coins. Very, very rare.
Gem Uncirulated: Again the strike should be excellent, although a slight amount of die wear is acceptable. Any marks should be negligible. Mint luster should still be evident, although a patina on silver coins is acceptable. This is probably the best quality coin us mere mortals would ever have the good fortune of seeing.
Choice Uncirculated (CHU): A very good strike should be evident, although some wear is acceptable. Marks should be insignificant and a high degree of luster should be evident.
Uncirulated (UNC): The strike on these coins will be of a much lesser quality, for example finer details of the design may not be thoroughly reproduced. Marks are acceptable but not excessive.
Almost Uncirculated (aUNC): As opposed to the uncirculated grades above, these coins may show very minimal wear due to handling (circulation), particularly on the higher points of the design. Other aspects of this grade are on a par with UNC.
Extremely Fine (EF): Shows slightly more wear due to handling, usually hardly visible. It can sometimes be difficult to determine if this level of wear is due to handling or a weak strike.
Very Fine (VF): Shows definite signs of wear, although the design should still be sharp and clear. Marks are more visible, particularly around the rim of the coin.
Fine (F): Most of the fine parts of the design have been worn away due to circulation. This coins has seen a great deal of handling.
Very Good (VG): Shows significant wear, although the design is still visible. Virtually all the fine detail will be gone.
Part II of the glossary will cover more general jargon used in the world of coin collecting.
I just received an email from Perth Mint regarding the huge popularity of their tribute to HMAS Sydney II. Here’s an extract from the email…
The eager response to our HMAS Sydney II tributes means that the individual 1oz silver proof coin is rapidly becoming a rarity. And as we go to press, there are literally only a handful of Coin, Medallion & Badge Sets remaining in stock at the Mint.
This coin is set to become a true collectors’ item. Don’t miss your chance to add this significant release to your collection.
Click here to order your HMAS Sydney II tribute now.
I thought I’d start our Australian decimal coins category with a commemorative coin just issued by the Perth Mint Autralia.
To honour the discovery of the HMAS Sydney II wreck and to coincide with the 67th anniversary of its sinking, Perth Mint has released a 1oz 99.9% pure silver, proof coin.
This extremely limited coin (no more than 7,500 minted) has been issued as legal tender. The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II appears on the obverse. The reverse shows the honoured HMAS Sydney II in fine detail. The words “HMAS SYDNEY II 19 NOVEMBER 1941 - 16 MARCH 2008″ along with the mint mark “P” appear with the image. The dates represent the period the ship lay undiscovered.
HMAS Sydney II sank after a battle with the German ship HSK Kormoran on November 19, 1941. The battle represents Australia’s largest loss of life in a naval battle.
The discovery of the wreck of HMAS Sydney II was a significant step in Australia’s military history. Even more so, it was particularly personal one for the relatives of the 645 officers and crew who lost their lives when the ship sank.
Sydney had been on escort duties off the West Australian coast when it crossed paths with the disguised Kormoran. Neither ship made it through the ensuing battle.
The sinking of HMAS Sydney II was something that has perplexed many. Sydney was considered a superior battle ship and there was disbelief that it could be defeated by Kormoran. Further fueling suspicions of foul play, in an attempt to maintain the morale of the nation, the Royal Australian Navy and the Government supplied very little information regarding the sinking to the public.
Perth Mint Australia’s commemorative coin is a high quality tribute to the HMAS Sydney II and one that not only collectors are sure to treasure.
One of the more adventurous ways to build your Australian silver coins collection is to get out into the great outdoors with a metal detector. The sites where coins are discovered are many and varied - beaches, ruins, football grounds to name just a few. In fact, anywhere that people gathered tends to be a good place to look.
Of course, the most likely place to find Australian silver coins is in Australia. However, they have occasionally been discovered overseas, particularly where the Australian military had a large presence during World Wars I and II or in popular tourist destinations.
Join this modern day prospector as he finds three pre decimal Australian silver coins. The location he visits seems fairly unlikely at first glance, but a little reconnaissance shows that first impressions can be misleading…
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