1 Shilling - George V 1919 Debased Pattern

Reverse

Coat of Arms with supporters (a Kangaroo and Emu). Lettering around of denomination and Mint mark below, date with dashes.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
ONE SHILLING
ADVANCE AUSTRALIA
-1919-
M

Engraver: William Henry James Blakemore

Edge

Reeded

Comment

No circulation strikes were issued for this year (1919). As part of the debasements following the Great War across the British Empire in response to economic strain, debt and the rising price of silver which led to governments removing some silver from coinage. In the UK, in 1920, the silver content was lowered to 50%, in Canada, 80%, British West Africa to 50% and then to non silver, East Africa to 50% then 25%, Ceylon to 55% and the Straits Settlements to 40% . Australia was debating the reduction of silver content from 1918 on, and had new dies prepared to test coins when the decision was made. The first test strikes were in 1918, of half silver purity and two are known, with 1919 strikes in 625 fine silver and with two distinctive ‘S’ placed as a mark. These are some of the rarest Australian Coins. 1920  florin (and possibly some shillings) strikes were also made in reduced silver - presumably 50% - and a few of all types are in private hands. Eventually, the price of silver stabilized, and the striking of coinage continued in good silver, with the proposed alloys never seeing circulation use until the issue of half silver coins in 1946 following the Second World War. Australia would have been the only British Dominion or English Speaking nations to issue this silver alloy. 

Interesting fact