Australia 1978 50 Cent Error Coin (Struck On 20 Cent Planchet) PCGS Genuine
| We Last Sold This Item For: | $4,500.00 |
|---|---|
| Last Sold On: | 8/7/2023 |
| # Sold In Past 12 Months: | 1 |
Australia 1978 50 Cent Error Coin (Struck On 20 Cent Planchet) PCGS Genuine
Obverse: Elizabeth II to right, legend around
Reverse: Coat of arms and denomination
Diameter: 31.08mm (not 31.50mm) | Thickness: 1.87mm (not 2.80mm)
Weight: 11.281g (not 15.55g)
Composition: 75% Copper; 25% Nickel
This incredible error coin is one of a very few known.
The Royal Australian Mint does not make very many errors at all, but when they do happen, sometimes they're spectacular and really appealing to collectors that have had the opportunity to look at a lot of coins.
This particular coin is just one of those spectacular errors - it is far rarer than a coin that has been struck on a split planchet and is definitely much rarer again than a coin that has a minor planchet flaw. It is the type of error coin that has been proven to have real value over time.
This coin is what is known as a wrong planchet or off-metal planchet error - the 50 cent designs have been struck on a (blank) metal planchet that should have had 20 cent designs on it.
We can see evidence of this around the edges either side - the raised rim is not visible, and the flat edges taper off. If you have a look at it closely, you'll see that the diameter of the coin is fractionally smaller than what it should be.
We can also see that the bases of the letters in the legend around the rim of the obverse have curves in them - that simply isn't seen on a modern decimal coin struck on a correct planchet.
What you can't see from our images is the difference in the thickness between this coin and a standard 50 cent coin (1.87mm and not 2.80mm), and the difference in the weight (11.281g and not 15.55g).
Although this coin came to us in a grimy; old vinyl coin album, we could tell straight away it was an error coin. We were pleased to see that hunch verified by PCGS was satisfying and reassuring.
An unfortunate side effect of the way the coin had been stored since it was discovered by the previous owner in circulation was the damage we see to the surfaces, particularly the obverse. Although that surface quality is undeniably not as attractive as it would have looked if it had been stored appropriately, it takes nothing away from the incredible rarity that the coin has.
We've endeavoured to price this error coin in line with results for similar errors that we've seen turn up at auction. We believe the price is fair given the rarity and surface quality, if you're interested in it but can demonstrate a lower price is appropriate, we'll be happy to hear from you.
Click the PCGS icon below to verify the certificate details for this coin directly on the PCGS website.
PCGS Certificate Number: 46482507
SKU: 210493
Browse our catalog of Australian 50 Cent Coins below:
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