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  • The first gold coin struck on Australian soil
     

  • Never received Royal Assent so were struck for less than 3 months
     

  • Only 24,648 were minted
     

  • Most were melted when they were found to contain 5% over face value.​

1852 Adelaide Pound

El Cazador Shipwreck Coin
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Details

Specifications

The 1852 Adelaide Pound is the nation’s first ever gold coin, struck in 22 carat gold at the Government Assay Office in Adelaide. 

The 1852 Adelaide Pound is the nation’s first gold coin, struck at the Government Assay Office in Adelaide from 22 carat gold brought from the Victorian goldfields. 

The Adelaide Assay Office was opened 165 years ago as a refinery to strike gold ingots. Except for ensuring the accuracy of the weight and purity of gold in the coin, there was minimal care regarding the overall striking and the eye appeal of the coin. The coins were to be used as currency, traded in commerce. Not preserved as collectibles. 

This 1852 Adelaide Pound is accurately graded Good Extremely Fine and follows our rule that it is "a coin that you would be proud to show your family and friends". 

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