Coin
½ Penny - George V (1925) — Australia
Australia • 1925 • KM# 22, Schön# 13
Overview
A 1925 bronze ½ Penny coin from Australia, part of the Standard circulation coins series featuring King George V. Minted at the Melbourne Mint.
Specifications
- Country
- Australia
- Year
- 1925
- Composition
- Bronze
- Weight
- 5.67 g
- Diameter
- 25.5 mm
- Thickness
- 1.7 mm
- Mint
- Royal Mint, Melbourne, Australia (1872-1969)
- Shape
- Round
- Technique
- Milled
- References
- KM# 22, Schön# 13
- Issuer
- Australia
Design details
Obverse
Crowned and robed bust of George V facing left. Lettering: GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT: OMN:REX F.D.IND:IMP: B. M.
Reverse
In the center within a circle of beads, the words ONE HALF PENNY in three lines above a plain scroll; around the circle of beads, COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
Collector insights
- Design heritage: Edgar Bertram MacKennal (obverse), William Henry James Blakemore (reverse) is credited as the designer for the Standard circulation coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
- Struck at: Royal Mint, Melbourne, Australia (1872-1969). Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
- Mintage vs. survival: A moderate mintage of 1,147,000. Grade rarity is usually the driver of value here — mid-grade circulated pieces are common, but original-surface uncirculated coins can command a strong premium.
- Catalogue reference: Listed as
KM# 22, Schön# 13. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.
Curator Insights
Historical context
During 1925, Australia operated under the pre-decimal pound system, and this half penny represents the minor coinage issued during the mid-reign of King George V. The Melbourne Mint handled the majority of the domestic coinage requirements during this decade to provide liquidity for the growing Commonwealth economy. These bronze issues were essential for small daily transactions and reflected Australia's continued use of British-style denominations tailored for local circulation.
Design heritage
The obverse features the crowned and robed bust of King George V, designed by Australian sculptor Edgar Bertram MacKennal, whose initials B.M. appear at the truncation. The reverse, created by William Henry James Blakemore, utilizes a classic circular beaded frame surrounding the denomination and a decorative scroll. This conservative design language was consistent across the Commonwealth of Australia series from 1911 until the introduction of the kangaroo motif in 1937.
Varieties and technical notes
Collectors typically focus on the quality of the strike on the king's crown and the clarity of the reverse scroll. While this issue features a plain edge and round shape produced at the Melbourne Mint, collectors should inspect for die cracks common in 1920s Australian bronze. Variations in the alignment of the beads on the reverse can occasionally occur due to the use of differing working dies during the 1925 production run.
Survival and modern availability
With a mintage of 1,147,000, the 1925 half penny is significantly less common than the issues of the early 1920s, leading to higher collector demand for well-preserved examples. Many specimens suffered from heavy circulation attrition and the environmental effects of the Australian climate, making coins with original red luster particularly scarce. As the coin was never officially demonetized, surviving stocks primarily reside in private numismatic collections rather than central bank reserves.
Related pieces
More from Australia
Explore more
Browse more items in the full catalog or view Australia in the country guide.