RARITIES (5 items)

- Scarce overdate variety, described by Spink Australia in their November 1979 auction as "an interesting specimen which shows that the date has been re-entered, particularly clearly with the last figure of the date, 7, which may have been intended to obliterate a 6 (or 5) thus raising the possibility that a working die dated 1856 (or 1855) had been prepared with the second type bust.” This piece is one of only three 1857/5 overdates on record. A second example similar to this one is known to exist, and, according to Walter Eigner, another was discovered in 2005 in the Reserve Bank of Australia sale (lot 553).

This example has a long provenance. Its first recorded appearance was in the aforementioned 1979 Spink Australia auction, lot 318, followed by a second appearance in Noble Numismatics auction 65, lot 1475, where it was described as “excessively rare”. At that time, this coin was also attributed to the Moran Collection. This coin has only recently surfaced this year, and, to my knowledge, has not seen the market since it sold in November 2000. A great coin for the variety collector and very rare. Grades PCGS AU58.

- The 1918 Perth Half Sovereign is the key coin of the George V half sovereign series and one of the key dates of the half sovereign series overall. This piece is very well struck: The rider’s calf is almost fully struck, while the reins are sharp and clear. The obverse has light field marks consistent with a coin that has circulated for only a short time. This particular coin was acquired from a collector who allegedly obtained the coin from “an Indian contact” in the sixties. It is generally accepted within numismatic circles that most, if not all, 1918 Perth Half Sovereigns were sourced from India, so if the collector’s claims are true, this example is fresh and has never been onto the Australian numismatic market. The 1918 Perth Half Sovereign is RARE in any grade, with fewer than 200 pieces believed to be in existence. Grades PCGS AU58.

- The 1923 halfpenny is the key coin of the halfpenny series. A scarce and popular Australian coin. Grades PCGS VF20.

- The 1923 halfpenny is the key coin of the halfpenny series. A popular Australian coin. Grades PCGS F12.

- A great coin at an affordable price. This scarce pre-55 proof is slightly impaired, with a shallow scratch on the obverse and a small spot on the reverse. Otherwise, fully brilliant with great eye appeal. A perfect example would retail for over $40,000, in my view, so this coin is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a top rarity at an affordable price point. Grades PCGS PR62RB.