1 Shilling - George V (1920 Debased Pattern)

The 1920 Australian shilling marks a pivotal moment in the nation's numismatic history, reflecting the global economic shift following the First World War. Prior to this, Australian silver coinage maintained a high purity of .925 sterling silver. However, the rising cost of silver bullion forced the Royal Mint to reduce the fineness of the coinage to .500, a move known as debasement intended to prevent the intrinsic value of the metal from exceeding the face value of the coin.

The design of this shilling follows the Commonwealth standard established by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal, the renowned Australian sculptor who provided the effigy of King George V used across the British Empire. The reverse features the Australian Coat of Arms, an emblem adopted in 1912 that emphasizes the federation of the states. While the 1920 issue is technically a continuation of this series, collectors often highlight it for the distinct metallurgical change that defined the remaining years of the George V shilling production.