Coin
½ Penny - George V (1933) — Australia
Australia • 1933 • KM# 22, Schön# 13
Overview
A 1933 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
- 1933
- 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 4,608,000. 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 1933, the Australian economy was beginning a slow recovery from the depths of the Great Depression, which had severely limited coinage production in preceding years. This issue represents a return to more standard circulation requirements as trade activity began to stabilize under the Commonwealth's decimal-precursor currency system. The half penny served as a vital unit for low-value transactions during this period of fiscal austerity.
Design heritage
The obverse features the crowned and robed portrait of King George V by Sir Edgar Bertram MacKennal, a prolific Australian sculptor whose work appeared across the British Empire. The reverse, designed by William Henry James Blakemore, utilizes a utilitarian aesthetic focused on clear denomination text within a beaded circle. This layout followed the established pattern for Australian bronze coinage adopted shortly after the nation began issuing its own distinct currency.
Varieties and technical notes
Collectors should focus on the quality of the strike, as coins from the Melbourne Mint during this era can exhibit varying degrees of detail on the King's crown and robes. While no major die varieties are officially recognized for this date, the plain edge and alignment should be inspected for consistency with standard Royal Mint specifications. Advanced collectors often look for specimens with original red luster, which is uncommon for bronze coins of this age.
Survival and modern availability
With a mintage of 4,608,000, the 1933 half penny is significantly more common than the legendary 1923 rarity, yet high-grade examples remain elusive. Significant quantities were lost through decades of heavy circulation and the eventual transition to decimal currency in 1966. While many circulated examples exist in lower grades, those maintaining their original technical specifications and surfaces are favored in the modern numismatic market.
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Browse more items in the full catalog or view Australia in the country guide.