The Australian Crown was a coin used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalisation in 1966. The denomination was only minted in 1937 and 1938. It was of similar size and weight to the British

Crown A crown is a traditional form of head adornment, or hat, worn by monarchs as a symbol of their power and dignity. A crown is often, by extension, a symbol of the monarch's government or items endorsed by it. The word itself is used, partic ...

and was made of sterling silver for both its years of production. Like the British Crown, the Australian Crown was worth five

shillings The shilling is a historical coin, and the name of a unit of modern currencies formerly used in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, other British Commonwealth countries and Ireland, where they were generally equivalent to 12 pence or ...

. The Crown was originally intended to commemorate the ascension of King

Edward VIII Edward VIII (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David; 23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972), later known as the Duke of Windsor, was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Empire and Emperor of India from 20 January 19 ...

; however, due to his abdication, it was instead struck to commemorate the ascension of King

George VI George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until Death and state funeral of George VI, his death in 1952. ...

. The Crown quickly lost its commemorative appeal and its lack of popularity led to its production being terminated. 1,008,000 Australian Crowns were minted in 1937 and 101,600 were minted in 1938, making the 1938 much more valuable today. In very fine condition, a 1937 crown is worth about $35, whereas the 1938 crown in very fine condition would be worth about $135.

References

External links

Online Coin Club / Coins from Australia / Coin Type: Crown

Crown , Blue Sheet

at ''cruzis-coins.com'' {{Australian currency Coins of Australia Silver coins 1937 establishments in Australia 1938 disestablishments in Australia