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Australian Shillings

1936 Australian Silver Shilling

Sterling Silver
1936 would be not only be the last year that the Australian Coat of Arms was to appear on Australian shillings, it would also be the last shilling bearing George V's portrait. After George's death in 1936, Edward VIII reigned for a brief time before he abdicated in order to marry Mrs Simpson, since the dies were still being made in London, they did not arrive in Australia in time and thus the next shilling was not struck until 1938.

Mintage
1,424,000

The highest point on the obverse is the crown band where the centre diamond, pearls and rubies can be found. Wear starts at the centre diamond and spreads out from here consuming the pearls and rubies. This is why coin dealers often use the term 8 pearls or a lesser number to describe the condition of the obverse of George V coins with a crowned effigy. The lower the condition of a coin, the less the number of visible pearls.
When looking at the obverse of these coins a collector should look at:
  • the centre diamond of the crown band;
  • the end of the moustache:
  • the top of the ear;
  • nicks and dents around the rim;
  • scratches or other defects on the surface;
  • a weak strike shows in the rim denticles and crown pattern and in the collar just under the chin, also the orb on the crown flattens out with die wear.

Specifications
Composition: .925 silver
Silver Content: 0.1680 oz
Edge: Reeded
Weight: 5.65 grams
Size: 23.5 mm
Obverse: Sir E.B. Mackennal
Reverse: W.H.J. Blakemore

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