1 Penny - George V (Kookaburra Pattern - Type 5a)

The 1919 Kookaburra penny was conceived as a potential new design for Australian coinage during a period of transition following the First World War. Developed at the Melbourne Mint, the pattern was part of an experimental series commissioned to replace the existing British-themed motifs with imagery that reflected a distinct Australian national identity. The design featured the iconic kookaburra perched on a branch, a choice intended to celebrate the unique fauna of the continent.

The design is widely attributed to W.H.D. Eaglemont, who sought to capture a naturalistic depiction of the bird in contrast to the traditional heraldic symbols found on standard issue coins. Despite the aesthetic appeal of the series, the Kookaburra patterns never entered general circulation. They were ultimately deemed unsuitable for mass production due to concerns regarding the complexity of the die striking process and shifting priorities within the Commonwealth Treasury, leaving these pieces as highly sought-after rarities for numismatists.