? 1889 fifty cent is one of, if not, the most elusive coin of Straits Settlements. Despite what may seem as a substantial mintage of 32,000, most coins from this region unlike British or American counterparts were not saved and hoarded. Local Chinese, Malay and Indians spent most of there coins. What this means is that while a number like 32,000 is high, the actual number of survivors is likely a few as witnessed by the population report of NGC and PCGS. The finest by PCGS is a MS63 a choice ...
? The Type III Shield sovereign features the Imperial shield design on the reverse paired with William Wyon's portrait of Queen Victoria on the obverse. It differs from the Type II Shield sovereign by having a smaller bust. A key identification point is illustrated below. The mint of this issue can be identified by a mintmark beneath the shield on the reverse as shown in the illustrations below: The absence of a mintmark or the presence of a die number indicates a London ...
? The Sydney mint reverted to the Imperial St George and Shield designs in 1871 with the Shield design intended for export to other colonies. The fourth reverse design features a short length tail as opposed to the long tail used since 1871 and the medium tail used since 1874 as in the illustration below: This type differs from the other St George reverse designs by having a wider truncation at the base of the bust of her Majesty Queen Victoria. The origin mint of this issue can be determined ...
? In 1951 the Royal Mint in London produced 40,000,000 threepence for Australia. This London variety can be distinguished from 1951 Melbourne Mint variety by a 'PL' mint-mark, abbreviated from pecunia londinii or percussa londinio . 'PL' mint-mark on a 1951-PL Threepence. The variety is by far the most common threepence of the Type II George VI series due to the large initial mintage. While the coin is always very well struck up, the surfaces are often bagged ...
? The scouts are one of if not the largest and most influential movements within Australia. Scouts are found all over the world, having been initiated by Lord Baden-Powell in England and quickly being incorporated into Australia. Scouting has now become part of the culture and it teaches youths such valuable life lessons that there is no doubts concerning the benefits from which both boys and girls are able to gain. 2008 was the 100th anniversary since the formation of Scouts Australia and this ...