Currencies/Australian crown
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Introduction
The Australian crown was a pre-decimal coin denomination, equal to five shillings or one-quarter of a pound. It was minted only in 1937 and 1938, struck in sterling silver, and is remembered as one of the shortest-lived Australian coin issues.
History
The crown was introduced in 1937 during the reign of King George VI. The coin was originally conceived to commemorate the intended coronation of King Edward VIII, but his abdication shifted the design to mark the new monarch instead.
Although well designed, the crown proved unpopular in circulation due to its large size and limited practicality. After just two years of production (1937–1938), minting of the crown ceased permanently.
Coinage
Value 1 crown = 5 shillings (¼ pound)
Composition 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper (sterling silver)
Mass 28.28 g
Diameter 38.5 mm
Edge Milled
Obverse Portrait of King George VI by Thomas H. Paget
Reverse St. Edward’s Crown above the date and denomination, designed by George Kruger Gray
Currency
The crown belonged to the £sd (pounds, shillings, pence) system used before decimalisation.
1 crown = 5 shillings
5 shillings = 60 pence
1 crown = 60 pence
At decimalisation in 1966, one shilling became equal to 10 cents, so the crown’s equivalent value was 50 cents.
Replacement
The Australian crown was discontinued after 1938. With the 1966 introduction of the Australian dollar and cent system, the crown and other pre-decimal denominations were replaced by decimal currency.