Yes, some Australian 1 cent coins are valuable, especially rare dates like the 1966 Perth mint variety (with a blunted whisker) and the 1968 (due to low mintage and no mint set release), but most are only worth face value unless they are in pristine, uncirculated condition, as rarity and condition are key factors for collector value.
7 Most Rare Pennies — and What Makes Them Unique
Yes, 1c and 2c pieces are still Australian legal tender, but they are not considered as 'currency' (or, money that is officially released for circulation). This means that you can take your old 1c and 2c coins to the bank and exchange them for currency totalling the same face value.
In Australia in 1977, the Royal Australian Mint produced a special circulating commemorative 50 cents coin to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II. This silver jubilee issue was intended to be the only design for the 1977-dated 50 cents coins produced that year.
The 1966 one cent made by the Royal Mint Perth branch is probably the most valuable 1 cent coin from Australia, while the 1966 Royal Mint Melbourne branch 1 cent is also popular with collectors when in mint condition. The 1968 one cent coin is another one to look for in mint condition.
1966 Round 50-Cent Coin
Australia's only 80% silver decimal coin quickly vanished from circulation. The rising silver value made it worth more than its face value, placing it firmly on any list of rare Australian coins and value guides.
The original £1 coin — nicknamed the “round pound” — was withdrawn from circulation in 2017 and replaced by the 12-sided bimetallic coin. Some of the final editions of the round pound, particularly those issued in 2016, are of interest to collectors. If you have any tucked away, they're worth keeping.
Take it to your bank
Some banks now have coin machines that let you pay in your spare change without needing to sort it first. Not all banks offer these machines, and even those that do might not have one in your local branch. However, they should be able to take your coins if you sort them yourself.
It's from 1999 and could be worth $4,500 thanks to a little-known error on it. What you want to look for is a 1999 penny with no mint mark, which means no letter under the year on the heads side. As for the tails side, that's where you have to look closely.
The 1966 Round 50 Cent Coin, despite its short-lived circulation, left a lasting impact on Australian numismatics. It became a sought-after collector's item, valued for its silver content and historical significance. Today, these coins are prized by collectors and investors alike.
1. 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Wheat Penny — $2.3 million. Designed by Victor D. Brenner, this is one of the highest-value pennies in circulation today.
It is a fact that Australians love their pennies more than any other coin. Even the zeal for the sovereign (which is very strong) pales into significance when compared to the penny. Now within the penny series, there are six dates that stand out for their rarity ... 1925, 1930, 1931, 1937, 1945 and 1946.
The numismatic value of a coin depends on three factors: the date and mintmark of the coin, the mintage/population of the coin and its condition or finish.
The Royal Mint says that most high street banks are typically willing to accept demonetised coins (like the old, round £1 coin) and exchange them for a new coin. Some larger Post Office branches are usually willing to do this too.
Take the 1910-S Lincoln Cent, for instance. At first glance, it's just a tiny copper coin — the humble one-cent piece many of us toss into jars or piggy banks. But among coin collectors, this early Wheat Penny is considered a true gem, commanding prices as high as $250,000 in pristine condition.
The rare Australian coin that sells for around $60,000 (or more, depending on condition) is the 1930 Australian Penny, an accidentally minted coin from the Great Depression era with a very low mintage, making it a "numismatic superstar" sought by collectors for its rarity and historical significance. Its value comes from being the lowest mintage pre-decimal Australian coin, with only about 1,500 believed to exist in circulation, notes 9News.com.au and Network Ten.
To sell old coins in Australia, contact professional coin dealers like Jaggards, Coinworks, or local dealers, as the Royal Australian Mint doesn't buy coins back; get multiple valuations for condition (grade) and potential rare status (pre-decimal, error coins) before selling, potentially getting cash offers or bank transfers from buyers like Coin Buyers NSW or Aussie Coins Direct.
While we might sight a Proof 1952 Penny on the market every three to four years this coin, as the finest of its year, is a once in a lifetime buying opportunity. Apart from its extreme rarity, we offer four sound reasons why this Proof 1952 Penny is a must-have for today's collector.
The 2022-dated £1 coin is currently the rarest £1 in circulation. With a mintage of just 7,735,000 it features the portrait of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and marks the transition to the coinage of King Charles III.