Australian George VI Shilling - Ram Head
Country of Origin: Australia (Royal Mint)
Year of Issue: 1944
Denomination: One Shilling
Composition: 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper (.925 Sterling Silver)
Brief Description
A silver Australian shilling featuring King George VI on the obverse and a Merino ram's head on the reverse.
Historical Significance
Issued during World War II, this coin is part of the pre-decimal currency of the Commonwealth of Australia. The ram design represents the importance of the wool industry to the Australian economy.
Estimated Value
$5-$12 in Very Fine/Extremely Fine condition, $35-$100+ in Uncirculated (MS) condition.
Care Instructions
Handle by the edges only. Do not clean or polish as it destroys the numismatic value. Store in an acid-free PVC-free holder.
Mint Mark
S (San Francisco Mint) - visible above the '44' in the year. Small 'S' indicates US production for Australia during WWII.
Mintage & Rarity
Common; approximately 11,000,000 minted in San Francisco for Australia.
Weight & Diameter
5.65 grams / 23.5 mm
Edge
Reeded
Apparent Grade
Very Fine (VF) - Visible wear on the King's hair and the ram's fleece, but details are still clear. Surface exhibits minor circulation marks.
Obverse (Front)
Bare head of King George VI facing left. Legend: GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX F:D:IND:IMP. Designer: Thomas Humphrey Paget.
Reverse (Back)
Merino ram head facing left, based on the champion ram 'Uardry 0.1'. Legend: AUSTRALIA / SHILLING / 1944. Designer: George Kruger Gray.
What Drives This Coin's Value
Silver bullion content, overall wear, and the presence of 'luster' in uncirculated examples. Mint marks (S vs. no mark) significantly impact value in certain years.
Similar Coins
Australian shillings from 1938-1952 look identical but have different dates and metal fineness (1946 transitioned to 50% silver).
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Check for the crispness of the 'S' mint mark and use a magnet (silver is non-magnetic). Weight should be very close to 5.65g.
Notable Varieties & Errors
No major popular varieties for this specific year/mint, though some collectors look for die cracks.
Created At: 2026-05-22T07:18:22.861386