1942 Bombay Penny without I mintmark - PCGS AU58

Australia, 1942 Bombay Penny without I mintmark -

I’ve never had a decent 1942-I penny with the missing “I” mintmark in stock, although I have seen them pop up from time to time in lower grades. Of the coins I’ve seen on the market, the coin on offer here is one of the better examples available. There are only two graded by PCGS in Mint State, one in MS62BN and another in MS64BN (November 2013). The highest-graded circulated example is in AU58, as above, while the lowest is XF45. All up, PCGS has graded only five pieces. Ian McConnelly, in his book Australian Pre-decimal Coin Varieties, states that the variety is very scarce. My sense is that the type is particularly difficult in Mint State or near Mint State grades. Further research may be warranted.