1951 Perth Halfpenny with dot and obverse type 5 - PCGS MS64RB

Australia, 1951 Perth Halfpenny with dot and obverse type 5 -

Varieties exist across the entire Commonwealth series, particularly the pennies and halfpennies. While most collectors are aware that there are two types of reverses on the 1951 Perth halfpenny (one has a dot after the Y of halfpenny, while the second type is missing the dot), few collectors are aware that there are also two distinct obverse types as well. From 1949 to 1952, two types of obverses were used to strike halfpennies: The first type, dubbed Obverse 4 by collector and numismatics researcher Dr Peter Andrews, can be distinguished most easily by examining whether the second I of FIDEI lines up with the denticle. All 1949 halfpennies were struck with this obverse. The second type, described as Obverse 5, is distinguished by looking closely at whether the second I of FIDEI lines up with the gap between the denticles. This obverse type was used to strike all 1952 halfpennies. The obverses of 1951 Perth halfpennies were struck with both obverse types, with certain obverse and reverse combinations rarer and more collectable than others. According to research by Dr Andrews, the 1951 Perth halfpenny with the dot after the Y and Obverse 5, makes up only 10% of the entire mintage of the 1951 Perth halfpenny with the dot after the Y, and is comparable in rarity to the 1951 Perth halfpenny without the dot. So what is its value? It’s difficult to put values on varieties such as this, but if we assume the coin photographed above is just as rare as a 1951 Perth halfpenny no dot in the same grade, a reasonable starting point would be over $750, which is the going rate of a 1951 Perth halfpenny no dot in comparable grade. Having said that, the 1951 Perth halfpenny no dot is a far more popular and recognised variety, while the 1951 Perth halfpenny with dot and Obverse 5 is rather esoteric; an appropriate discount therefore is warranted. I have priced the coin up at $350, based on the above thesis and feedback from a collector who has traded similar specimens. If you have any views, I would be interested to hear them.