1925 Penny Choice Unc (PCGS MS63RB) Ex Borg Collection
| We Last Sold This Item For: | $15,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Last Sold On: | 28/9/2021 |
| # Sold In Past 12 Months: | 0 |
1925 Penny Choice Unc (PCGS MS63RB) Ex Borg Collection
Obverse: Coronate bust of George V to right, legend around
Reverse: Denomination within legend, date below. "Q die state" variety.
Mintage: 117,289
Provenance:
Ex Borg Collection: Lot #79, Pacific Rim Online Auctions (June 2012). Estimate: $25,000, Hammer: $25,000, Nett: $28,750.
Described by the auctioneer as being “...for colour, the best of the date.”
This coin is easily rated among the finest known examples of this rare and popular date.
The 1925 penny is Australia's 2nd rarest penny and is one of the most keenly sought coins in the entire Commonwealth series. Royal Mint records seem to indicate that it was struck quite late in 1925, mainly to make sure there was no chance that Australian shop tills ran short of pennies over the 1925 Christmas break.
Although it isn't anywhere near as rare in average condition as the 1930 Australian penny, the 1925 penny is often the first key date Commonwealth coin that many collectors acquire when starting their journey into Australian numismatics.
Nearly a century after it was struck, it can still be obtained by careful searching through lots of hoarded or accumulated pennies. Despite that availability, it is so rare in superior condition that the finest examples regularly set price records when they become available at auction. This particular coin did exactly that, when it sold for $28,750 in an online auction in June 2012.
The Rarity of the 1925 Penny in Mint-State Condition:
The PCGS population reports show us they have graded 22 mint-state 1925 pennies, as of the date of this being written. Just two of those mint-state coins have been accorded the RB designation, this coin plus one other that has been graded MS64RB.
The 1925 penny has 3 acknowledged die varieties - this coin is arguably the finest-known example of what is known as the "Q Die State" variety. As the images here show, a light "tail" can be seen extending from the bottom of the second "O" in "COMMONWEALTH" on the reverse, which is the primary diagnostic indicator of this die variety.
1925 Penny - Q Die State Variety
Obverse Description:
A cartwheeling die crack is evident in the right-hand field of the obverse, as well as in the obverse legend between 7 and 8. Numerous tiny raised cuds are evident across this side of the coin, as well as one diagonal planchet streak.
Reverse Description:
The additional cud known on the Q die state variety is seen in the field to the left of “ONE”. Numerous carbon streaks run diagonally across the planchet. Additionally, the earliest stages of lamination are evident at several points within those planchet streaks. The fine details of the inner circle; the legend; date and perimeter beading have all been sharply struck and remain clear.
What Is A Planchet Streak?
There is some debate about the exact cause of planchet streaks that are sometimes seen in coins. In my observation, planchet streaks are seen on coins struck in an alloy of metals, and not in coins struck in one metal alone. With perhaps a few exceptions, the alloy of Australian copper coins struck between 1911 and 1964 was: 97% copper; 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin.
One website that discusses the causes of error coins states that planchet streaks “…indicate poorly-mixed constituent metals.” Lighter streaks on copper-alloy coins are due to unmixed portions of zinc or tin, whereas darker streaks or those that are associated with some lamination of the planchet are believed to be “…caused by contaminants in the alloy that cause the metal to separate along the horizontal plane.”The fact that this coin indicates the earliest hints of lamination in two sections of the planchet streaks suggests these planchet streaks were caused by contaminants rather than a poor mixture of the alloy. We can only speculate just what the eye appeal would have been like if that contamination had not taken place!
Provenance:
This coin was previously owned by one of the most knowledgable, determined, and well-connected collectors of Australian Commonwealth coins. The sale of this (complete) collection of Australian Commonwealth coins took place online in June 2012 and played a major role in demonstrating the value of PCGS grading and the PCGS registry set to the Australian numismatic market. As one would expect, this coin commanded one of the highest prices in the entire sale.
The Market for Mint-State 1925 Pennies:
Our research into the auction market for this coin shows us that mint-state 1925 pennies turn up perhaps twice a year, and that auction prices over the past five years have ranged widely between $36,000 and $9,500 for very similar coins.
We believe this coin is priced as incredible value given that market - it's one of only 2 graded with the RB designation; it has amazing eye appeal through the patina; has a solid provenance and the planchet streaks tell a story about the challenges of mass coinage production.
It is a superb example of the second-rarest date in the Australian penny series.
Click the PCGS icon below to verify the certificate details for this coin directly on the PCGS website.
PCGS Certificate Number: 25176131
SKU: 7132
Browse our catalog of Pennies below:
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