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Company Profile
Downies – the Beginning
A powerful force in numismatics for over three quarters of a century and a prominent part of the
Australian landscape, Downies is a family company with a proud history and a bright future.
Emerging from the dark days of the Great Depression, Downies has worked tirelessly for over 75
years since to establish a reputation as Australia’s leading coin and banknote professionals.
This prominence in the industry is the realisation of the lofty ambitions of a young man with a
big dream. Phil Downie, founder of the company, is the powerhouse behind the Downies legend.
In 1932, at barely sixteen years of age, Phil Downie established the Palmerston North Stamp Company.
Phil watched his fledgling philatelic business quickly grow to become an industry leader, expanding
into all fields of collectables.
Whether existing collector or new to this fascinating field, there is a wealth of
information available at your fingertips. You have taken the first step by contacting Downies –
the most highly respected names in Australian Numismatics.
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Mail Order – fast & efficient!
Downies is the largest distributor for Australia's two major issuing authorities,
providing the convenience of a full mailorder service through our variety of general
and specialist publications. Each month, we assemble a wide array of products, with
stock of all the latest releases assured.
Clients are able to place orders by phone, fax, email via the web or through the post, with all
items subject to Downies Bonus Points Rewards Program. This popular client loyalty
program offers retail clients the ability to build up points and earn rewards throughout the year.
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Retail Outlets – the personal touch
Downies opened Town Hall Coins in Sydney’s Town Hall Square in 1991. Positioned right in the heart of
Sydney and convenient to public transport, the shop is a favourite with both regular clientele
and passers–by.
In 1994, Downies opened its retail shop in Melbourne’s historic Block Arcade. Found in the centre of
Melbourne’s central business district, the store caters for regular customers and also for the many
tourists looking for a special and lasting memento of their visit to Australia. The recent refurbishment
of Block Arcade Coinsand Town Hall coins will enable us to increase the range of goodies on offer – and reinforce our
strong personal service ethic. Shoppers will find that both our outlets carry the full range of items.
Downies ‘personal touch’ also extends to our consistent attendance at the major Australian Coin &
Banknote Shows that are held regularly throughout the year. A prominent supporter of the Australasian
Numismatic Dealers Association Inc (ANDA) and of the public events that this august insititution coordinates,
Downies always aims to take a strong role in bringing the very best of collectables to the widest possible audience.
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Australia’s oldest Numismatic Auction House
Downies Australian Coin Auctions is the longest established coin and banknote auctioneers in Australia.
Conducting our first auction in 1963, we have all the expertise and experience necessary to provide peace of
mind to anyone seeking to consign part of all of their collection. Purchasers and vendors are brought together
at Downies Auctions from three to five times a year.
Whether buyer or seller, it is nice to have the security of dealing with the leaders in the field. Our status
as Australia’s foremost auction house received a ringing endorsement in 2005, when we were chosen to host the
most important sale in the history of Australia’s central banking authority – the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).
Overseeing the sale of the final group of coins held as part of an RBA stockpile accumulated from the 1920s to the
1970s, Downies Auction of the Gold Coins of the RBA formed the highest profile sale of its kind in Australian
numismatic history. An astounding success, all 2,472 lots were sold, with A$4.9m in sales against estimates of A$3m.
Subsequently Downie’s secured the rights to offer for sale current Polymer Australia notes on behalf of The Reserve Bank of Autralia via auction and retail sales.
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Rare coin & banknote investment service
The Downies team includes rare coin and banknote specialists. Whether seeking an elusive piece to complete your collection, or in need of sound advice on a specialised portfolio or superannuation parcel, we can provide you with expertise and service unrivalled in the industry.
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Around the globe...
An official agent for the Royal Australian Mint in North America since 1996 and registered in California, Downies
Ltd has created a significant niche in the US market. Offering an excellent mailorder service to our North American
clients, Downies USA also acts as an agent for a number of international mints.
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Serving the corporate world...
A leader in the retail sector, we also offer a range of opportunities for corporate and wholesale clients through
Sherwood (Downies’ manufacturing arm). Creating some of Australia’s most popular collector issues, the 1966–80
Australian Stamp Collections and the Commemorative 50c Collector Pack are just two of many high–quality releases
from the Sherwood stable.
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Coin Ventures...
With over 75 years of experience in the industry, Downies has a unique understanding of the market. Knowing what
our clients want, we have stepped beyond the traditional boundaries of numismatics to play a major role in some
of the most recent ground breaking numismatic developments.
Working closely with some of the greatest mints, including Australia’s own precious metal specialists at the
Perth Mint, Downies has helped create some landmark coin releases. Our readiness for change has seen issues such
as the 2002 Matthew Flinders $1 Coin Collection, the 2006 Great Explorers Silver Commemorative as well as the highly acclaimed Australian Deadly and Dangerous series. These imaginative
and innovative official legal tender issues have drawn an overwhelmingly positive response from collectors.
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Online Success
As Australia’s premier coin and banknote dealer, we have established a complete numismatic service via the web.
At the forefront of the developing relationship between collectables and the Internet, our website is a comprehensive
presentation of the Downies experience. Providing all the latest issues from the Royal Australian Mint and Perth Mint via
www.downies.com, whislt underpinned by Downies secure online ordering facilities.
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Downies 75 Years
Australia’s leading coin professionals, we offer the most comprehensive service available across the complete
spectrum of numismatics – and across the entire globe.
The largest distributor for Australia’s two issuing authorities, the Royal Australian Mint and the Perth Mint,
Downies has also gone to great lengths to ensure our clients receive the best of world numismatics as well.
Our relationship with issuing authorities as diverse as the Royal Canadian Mint,
the British Royal Mint, Singapore, Japan, Poland and Austrian Mints has put us in a unique position.
This global aspect only adds greater depth to a team rated as the best in Australian numismatics. Individually,
many are experts in their field, while collectively, Downies is served by a team whose commitment and professionalism
are unmatched in the industry.
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