1kg Pre 1946 Silver Coins – 92.5% Silver

One kilo of assorted pre 1946 Australian silver coins with a total ASW of 925g. These coins may be a mixture of the following;

Florins
Shillings
Threepence
Sixpence

Coins provided are chosen at random and may be provided from years 1910 – 1945.

History Of Pre 1946 & Post 1946 Australian Silver Coins

Before 1946, Australian coins were composed of high silver content. These coins included the threepence, sixpence, shilling, and florin, and had a composition of 92.5% silver, which was the same standard used in British coins (sterling silver). During World War II, the demand for silver increased significantly due to its use in various military applications, and the price of silver surged on the global market. This made the intrinsic value of the silver in the coins potentially higher than their face value, which could lead to hoarding and removal of coins from circulation for their metal value.

In response to this situation, starting in 1946, the Australian government altered the composition of their silver coins. The new coins were made with only 50% silver, with the remainder being a mix of copper and other metals. This change was intended to prevent the coins from being melted down for their silver content, ensuring that they remained in circulation and stable as currency. Additionally, this move helped the government conserve silver for other purposes, aligning with broader economic and resource management strategies during and after the war.

The pre-1946 coins were gradually removed from circulation because their silver content made them more valuable as a commodity than as currency. Over time, these coins became collectibles due to their higher silver content and historical value. The post-1946 coins, with their reduced silver content, were less appealing to hoard for their metal value and thus remained in active circulation longer. However, over the decades, even these coins have become less common in circulation due to changes in coinage materials and the increasing use of electronic transactions.