1 Penny - George V (Kookaburra Pattern - Type 8)

The 1920 Kookaburra penny is a rare pattern coin commissioned by the Australian government as part of a series of trial designs for a new coinage system. Produced by the Melbourne Mint, these patterns were an effort to transition Australia toward a unique national numismatic identity that departed from the traditional British-style coinage featuring the monarch's profile as the sole focal point.

The reverse design, featuring a kookaburra perched on a branch, was created by George Kruger Gray, a renowned artist and designer of the era. While these patterns were praised for their artistic merit and distinct Australian imagery, they never entered general circulation. The government ultimately opted to retain the existing imperial designs, leaving the Kookaburra patterns as highly sought-after artifacts of a design path not taken.