Coin Collectors' Corner

Thanks for the explanation about bullion coins etc. I was only looking at my coin collection last night and saw some very interesting coins @Mustang67 I found some pennies and half pennies too 🙂

However, I don't have any 1 and 2 cent coins!

Hi @Mustang67 I’m still into coins and read your posts when I can but I have been redonculously busy caring for family members and don’t have much time to write. I’m buried in hundreds of emails every day and a full day.

Anyway I wanted to wish you happy 2026 and let you know I do read some posts to try to catch up and I enjoy watching your collection grow. I won a 2025 Poppy Silver in the ballot and was delighted with that and it piqued my interest in silvers too. But it can be costly so I’m quite choosy. BTW I loved the mother and daughter 2023 coin - never seen that one! You have a collector’s eye and appreciation for beautiful coins which I really appreciate and I jus wanted you to know I thought this even though I seldom gave time to write.

@tyme I bought a bag of 1 & 2 cent coins off ebay. And some of the 2c coins are missing the SD initials which makes them more valuable than face value.

Apparently my cousin used to collect coins and my mum inherited them when he passed. She said he has the old currency as well as the new, but she doesn't know where the collection is, and she is a hoarder. So I suppose I will find it once she passes and we start to sort through all her belongings.

It would be nice to find a rare penny in amongst his collection.

@Harmonium thank you for your feedback, I really appreciate it.

Happy 2026 and I hope you are taking time for some self care while you are redonculously (love that word) busy caring for family members. I know during these times we often disregard our own needs and mental health. You are in my thoughts.

@Mustang67 Nice! 🙂 Why does the missing SD make the coin more valuable?

Hi @tyme

• Rarity/Scarcity: While millions of 2-cent coins were produced between 1966 and 1992, the "No SD" variety exists only on a small, unknown number of coins from specific years, primarily 1968, but also 1966, 1967, and 1981.
• Key Collector Dates: The 1968 "No SD" coin is considered a "key" to the 1966-91 series because of its low mintage and, when found in high-grade (uncirculated/pristine) condition, it is considered exceptionally rare.
• Error Appeal: In numismatics (coin collecting), errors in manufacturing are generally more valuable than standard, high-mintage coins. The missing initials represent a "puzzling anomaly" in Australian coin history.
• High Demand: The "No SD" 1968 2-cent coin can fetch hundreds or, in very high, independent, or certified, grades (MS66), over a thousand dollars.

I will have to check what years mine are. But since I have had to move into a caravan at my mum's, my coins have gone to a friend's place to be looked after.

Oh yes! I saw those at the Australian mint when I went there @Mustang67 . They had some coins that had printing errors... but I didn't know they circulated those. I thought they get rid of them.

@tyme that's why it always pays to look at your change and to know what sort of errors to look out for.

Who carries money now??? @Mustang67

@tyme very true. My partner prefers cash and often wants me to transfer money in his account and then he gives me cash. So, if I have it, I use it, so I can see what coins I get in my change. Lol

But I think eventually it will disappear.

According to google experts and banks predict Australia will become a "functionally cashless" society by 2030, where cash is a niche payment method used by only a small percentage of the population.