Rare Australian pennies and notes minted during WW1 up for auction

Two of Australia’s rarest coins are up for auction.

The 1930 two pennies are among only 1,500 pennies estimated to exist.

There was an early bid of $16,000 for one of the coins in Brisbane, while the other penny was auctioned at $17,5000.

The coins were struck at the Melbourne Mint during the Great Depression, but as there was no official request from the Treasury to strike pennies, it is assumed that these coins were struck by mistake.

But it doesn’t end there because the Australians have a chance to secure other pieces as well.

“Auction 154 offers collectors another opportunity to secure exceptional pieces, from legendary Australian rarities to important international issues,” said Roxbury Auction House director Scott Waterman.

Limited 1914/15 “Rainbow Pound” emergency notes will also be available.

The banknotes, which were printed to alleviate the foreign exchange shortage during World War I, were printed without security features and were removed from circulation a year later.

Bids are also open for the iconic 1813 NSW “Dump”, one of Australia’s oldest coins.