1 Penny - George V Kookaburra Pattern - Type 3

In 1919, the Australian government was actively seeking alternatives to the bronze penny — imported copper costs and supply disruptions following the war had made the existing coinage economics uncomfortable. Several pattern designs were commissioned exploring both new compositions and native fauna as subject matter, the kookaburra being one of three or four bird types tested across multiple die iterations. This Type 3 designation distinguishes it from earlier kookaburra pattern strikes of the same year by die characteristics documented in the Peck and Noble references.

None of these patterns advanced to production. Australia retained its bronze penny format until decimalization in 1966.