1942S-44S Florin 3-Coin Set Extremely Fine-about Uncirculated

Aussie silver – struck in the USA!

Struck at the San Francisco Mint as the USA assisted Australian coin production during the Second World War, the 1942S-44S Florin 3-Coin Set represents a unique, genuine artefact of Australia’s WWII history.

Huge demand for currency in WWII…

As a result of the post-Depression recovery, and the influx into Australia of big spending American servicemen, demand for currency increased enormously in Australia during the Second World War. Even with the Melbourne Mint assisted by the Perth Mint, which had been brought out of ‘retirement’, Australia was unable to strike enough coins to satisfy demand.

Complete 3-coin set!

The USA was asked to step up to the plate, and the Aussie silver coinage struck on American soil represents one of the most intriguing chapters of the Australian predecimal story. The series of coins struck in the US included three Australian florin dates – 1942, 1943 & 1944. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, and recognised by the presence of an S mintmark immediately above the date on the reverse, each of those dates is found in this set!

Just a few sets available!

Presented in Extremely Fine to about Uncirculated condition, we have only a small number of complete 3-coin 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 20th 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 coinage indicates that this demand outstripped our capacity for production.

The answer lies partly in the economic recovery the war provided to Australia as it climbed 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 money into the economy. We may also speculate that the fear of invasion caused a great deal of silver hoarding, with 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.