Australia George VI 1942-44 USA S&D Mintmark Complete Silver 16-Coin about Uncirculated-Uncirculated Collection

Aussie silver – struck in the USA!

Struck at the Denver and San Francisco Mints as the USA assisted Australian coin production during the Second World War, the 1942-44 USA S&D Mintmark Complete Silver 16-Coin Collection is a unique piece of Australia’s history. Very scarce in superior grade, this is your chance to secure the COMPLETE collection in about Uncirculated to Uncirculated condition!

Huge demand for currency in WWII…

The heightened demand for currency in Australia during the Second World War was largely due to the post-Depression recovery. It was also attributable to the influx into Australia of heavy spending American servicemen. Even with the Perth Mint brought out of ‘retirement’ to assist the Melbourne Mint, Australia could not strike sufficient coinage to meet demand.

Complete 16-coin collection!

The USA stepped up to the plate, and the coins struck at the San Francisco and Denver Mints form one of the most fascinating chapters of the Australian predecimal story. Graced with S and D mintmarks, and notable for the lustrous glow in premium grade, the complete set comprises five threepences (1942S, 1942D, 1943S, 1943D & 1944S), five sixpences (1942S, 1942D, 1943S, 1943D & 1944S), three shillings (1942S, 1943S, & 1944S) and three florins (1942S, 1943S, & 1944S).

Just a few sets available!

Scarce in about Uncirculated to Uncirculated condition, as seen here, we have only a small number of complete sets in stock. Click add to cart now!

 Australia and the USA – a bond forged in the crucible of war…

“Without any inhibitions of any kind, I make it quite clear that Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom”

John Curtin, Australian Prime Minister,

                                                Herald, 27/12/1941

Australia’s very public call to the USA for a joint effort in the Pacific theatre of war marked a turning point in Australia’s political, social and economic history. From this point on, the USA was to become Australia’s strongest partner; as the British Empire dissolved, the world’s nations sought to focus upon a new power base.

Successful Japanese operations to Australia’s north provided the immediate context in which America’s aid was sought. However, the ways in which the bond was cemented varied widely. Australia had coinage minted overseas during wartime before, in India, during the Great War. In the second global conflict of the 20^th century, Australia sought American assistance.

Why was this so? The surge in mintage figures in Australia during the war years indicates that the demand for circulating currency was high. Indeed, the fact that Australia sought American aid to strike even more silver indicates that this demand outstripped our capacity for production.

The answer lies partly in the economic recovery the war provided to a country climbing back from the Great Depression. The increase in commerce and employment necessitated a greater amount of currency. The huge influx of heavy spending American servicemen also required a gigantic infusion of currency into the economy. We may also speculate that the imminent threat of invasion caused a great deal of silver hoarding, with the precious metal providing security against the threat of the unknown in a post war Australia. The demand for coinage was far greater than Australian mints could handle, and the US stepped up to the plate.

Of the greatest historical significance, the Australian silver coins struck at the USA’s Denver and San Francisco Mints during the Second World War deserve a prime place in any Australian collection.