1 Shilling - George VI

The 1938 Australian shilling was minted during the reign of King George VI, representing a period of transition in the Commonwealth's coinage. Following the death of King George V and the brief abdication of Edward VIII, this issue was part of the first series of circulating coins to feature the portrait of George VI. The obverse was designed by T.H. Paget, whose effigy of the King became a standard across many British colonial territories, reflecting the stoic, traditional aesthetics expected of the monarchy during a time of global uncertainty.

The reverse of the coin features the Australian coat of arms, a design that had been established earlier in the century to emphasize national identity alongside imperial loyalty. This specific year remains significant to numismatists as it marked the beginning of a new era for Australian currency, moving away from the earlier George V designs. It was well-received by the public as a symbol of continuity and stability during the final years before the outbreak of the Second World War.