1945-Y Penny Double Sided - Tails good VF
1945-Y Penny Double Sided - Tails good VF
Obverse: Bust of George VI to left, legend around
Reverse: Denomination above date, legend around
Alloy: Copper | Diameter: 30.80mm | Weight: 9.288g
Mintage: 33,086,000
This is one of only 2 genuine double-sided Australian predecimal coins known.
Double-sided coins are among the most incredible error coins that are available to collectors. Because most normal people only ever look at one side of a coin at a time, error coins like this can bounce around in circulation for years at a time, only to be finally discovered by an eagle-eyed member of the general public.
This particular coin is one of only two known genuine double-headed Australian coins struck before 1966.
It first appeared in an article in the Australian Coin Review magazine in December 1967, where it attracted some understandably spirited commentary from the editor.
So unusual is it to see a coin with the same designs on both sides we shouldn't be surprised that the editor stated "This is an exceptional piece, and ... it must certainly be a fabrication..."
He went on to say that "If by some chance someone played games at the Perth Branch Mint, by making both obverse and reverse dies the same, this would be an exceedingly rare and interesting piece. It could happen, but the likelihood is extremely remote."
As the ACR editor stated back in December 1967, "...there is no evidence to the eye that two pieces have been joined."
On that basis, even though the likelihood of this coin existing is without doubt "extremely remote", we conclude that it is a genuine product of the Perth Mint.
We have examined the edge and the outer rims of the coin under very high magnification, and can see no evidence at all of the coin is either the result of two machined halves being joined together or of two coins being machined with one inner section inserted into another.
As the magazine article indicates, this coin is off-set at one o'clock. The original owner stated that he found it in change in Newcastle (New South Wales) and that it had been "... shown on our local TV station and they arranged to have tests made by metallurgists at the BHP steelworks. They made several tests with other 1945 pennies and they all appeared the same including the weight and as far as they could tell it appeared genuine."
So extreme would the mistake have to be for a coin like this to come about by accident, it's clear that it is likely to have been struck intentionally during some downtime during production.
A romantic explanation for the existence of this incredible coin is that there was some "sport" at the Perth in the dying days of the Second World War.
Some of the minting staff perhaps decided they'd celebrate the end of their wartime service by striking a memento of their time.
It'd probably be a shame to put it to the purpose it was most likely struck for - to win a two-up game, but as it's had an active life to date, a few more years of service probably won't harm the condition much at all.
Watch our Video on Youtube
SKU: 7986
Standard Shipping - $9.00
Signature is required on delivery
Express Shipping - $15.00
Signature is required on delivery
Free pick-up from store - $0.00
You're welcome to collect your order from our office (Shop 22; 27-35 William Street; Fremantle; 6160) during normal office hours. Please make sure to check we're open before you head on in!
| SKU | 7986 |
| Shipping Weight | 0.0500kg |
| Shipping Height | 0.001m |
| Assembled Length | 0.030m |
| Assembled Height | 0.001m |
| Assembled Width | 0.030m |
We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity, title and grade of every item we sell. The tax invoices we supply ensure that you have these guarantees in writing.
Please review our Website Terms and Conditions for a complete explanation of the guarantees we provide.
All items ship within 24 hours of confirmed payment being received.
Please review our Website Terms and Conditions for a complete explanation of our availability guarantee.
All orders are delivered via trackable and insured mail at a flat rate of $9 for orders within Australia, and $25 internationally.
Australia Post Parcel Post within Australia can take up to 1 week to arrive, while EMS / ECI international mail can take up to 3 weeks.
Urgent orders can be sent via Australia Post Express Mail at special request.
Please review our Website Terms and Conditions for a complete explanation of our delivery guarantee.
Be The First To Review This Product!
Help other Sterling and Currency users shop smarter by writing reviews for products you have purchased.
Browse our catalog of Pennies below:
Others Also Bought
More From This Category
I've taken my coins to Andrew a few times. Him and his staff are very nice people. Andrew is honest and down to earth. 👍
I have purchased several bulk lots of world coins from Sterling & Currency over the last few years. Read more...
I live on East Coast but prefer dealing with Andrew on the West due to his integrity, knowledge and prices, Read more...
Just purchased a 1966 blue case decimal mint set. Andrew gave me a ring to ensure it had arrived and provided Read more...
.jpg)
The team at Sterling & Currency is a family affair – small but growing. Andrew Crellin is the main dealer in the business, click here to read this credentials and how he started with the Perth Mint; spent a decade in Sydney working with two leading dealers and relocated back to Perth in 2006.
Jo is our budding Numismatist, Chief Event officer, Photographer and Packing Extraordinaire. Natalie is our media creator and photographer. Nicole manages the accounts and is part of the Packing Team. A myriad of important duties are carried out by the team that include photography, website updates, office admin, and chocolate eating.
Ruby the Ridgeback quite frankly has learned nothing about coins, however contributes by barking at anyone wearing hi-viz.
We're Always Buying!
We need to buy tens of thousands of dollars worth of coins and notes each and every week of the year.
If you'd like to turn all or part of your collection into cash, get in touch with our expert staff and we'll be happy to start working on a deal with you.
Australian Gold Coins
We have extensive experience in handling all Australian gold soveriegns and halves, from the Adelaide Pounds of 1852 right through to the last coins of George V of 1931. All of the Australian gold coins in our online shop are described in detail with high resolution images.
Coins
At Sterling & Currency, we specialize in handling Australian coins dating from our nation's settlement in 1788 through to the introduction of decimal currency in 1966. We have an extensive range in our online store of Australian gold, copper and silver coins.
Decimal Coins
The Australian proof and UNC coins struck by the Perth Mint and the Royal Australian Mint are the most accessible coins available to collectors today. If you're not able to find a particular coin that you're keen to add to your collection, let us know and we'll be contact you when it becomes available.