Proof Florin King George V 1934

Melbourne Mint

Obverse: Coronate bust of George V to right, legend around

Reverse: Denomination within legend, date below

Mintage: 100

Superb colour right across both sides.

Although the Melbourne mint had been producing proof coins on a commercial basis since it struck the Parliament Florin 1927, it wasn't until 1934 that proof coin production extended across the entire series of denominations in Australia.

Demand for Australian proof / specimen coins from Australian collectors was extremely limited at that time, however there was far more demand for Australian proof coins from outside Australia - the dealers Spink's; Seaby's and Baldwin's in London, as well as the New Zealand Coin Exchange all placed bulk orders for Australian proof coins with the Melbourne Mint during the 1930's.

Due to the expenses involved with their production, the slender profit margins being earned and the administrative imposition that this work entailed, the Melbourne Mint only released proof coins to customers prepared to pay the premiums involved with their production.

An order for 50 complete sets of 1934 Australian proof coins (including each of the 6 denominations between halfpenny and florin) from the New Zealand Coin Exchange boosted the number of proof coins struck by the Melbourne Mint to levels not seen for a number of years.

Detailed research into the production of Australian proof coins by Vince Verheyen has shown that the production of these coins "....from specially annealed planchets involved them being struck twice with fresh dies in the presses. The lack of damage (surface or bag marks) as noted by HG is consistent with the coins being made effectively by hand. These coins did not drop down from the press into large boxes or pass through the Mint's normal handling system."

My auction records indicate that just 4 1934 proof florins have been offered for sale via auction in the past 5 years - the last one I saw was in December 2016.

This particular example retains fantastic, mirrored surfaces. It has an attractive smoky patina, and looks truly reflective in the hand.

The 1934 proof florin is the most attractive and affordable "type" coin of the King George V florin series, this is a solid example.

SKU: 14414