1 Penny - George V Kookaburra Pattern - Type 4a

In 1919, the Australian government was actively exploring alternatives to its reliance on British copper penny coinage, which required shipping blanks from the UK. Several pattern designs featuring the kookaburra were trialled that year, this being one of four distinct type variations. The choice of sterling silver for a pattern intended to replace a base-metal coin was purely practical — silver allowed for sharper die trials and easier examination of detail before committing to a production alloy.

None of the kookaburra patterns were adopted. The penny question dragged on until 1938, when Australia finally struck its own pennies domestically at the Melbourne and Perth mints.