Interesting how perception has changed on the Silver 1966 50c Coin

Over the last 5 years how the 50c 1966 Australia coin has gone from being considered scrap/junk to holding its own and recently selling for premiums over the sterling silver florins with a comparable 1/3 troy ounce silver content.

They used to trade below spot and due to them being readily available and for the most, in high grade... also that there is just the 1966 to get being a one year type issue, made for this coin being considered a lesser coin to others. Another factor for this was that its only 80% which is inferior to sterling silver as far as investor preference is concerned (traditionally).

To justify my position i mean a regular fine florin or half dollar (obviously not a key date or MS-70), to compare a 1936 florin is a great coin to stack as a substitute to the 1966 and can get very cheap and in a decent grade....

I find it odd i can sell a common 1966 50c for the same as a 1931 florin or 1941 us half dollar...

I guess id compare this phenomenon to me back in 07 thinking the 1927 commemorative florin was the best one to get... i soon clicked this coin is very common and due to it being a commemorative issue it is still available in high grades and in plentiful supply. the Different George Fifth Effigy with the raised relief had me thinking i was getting something better.

I'm happy the new comers to the market identify with the 1966 and can see how its plentiful nature makes it a perfect trading vessel.. this may be the secret of the 1966... im still trading these for others as this is my preference and i value scarcity and variety more than easily identifiable and common in high grade.

As always in the physical market... demand will dictate the final prices. (unlike the rigged paper market).

To sum up.. the 3 coins which newbies get into in terms of going sterling/numismatics are:

1. 1966 50c -- very common, common in high grades
2. 1937 Crown - very common, common in high grades
3. 1927 Canberra Parliament Florin

I know i used these as an entry point to get into the world of numismatics.. happy to say i have had enough of them and have moved on.

Just an observation that i thought i would share with the community and that changing tastes in silver investment are a niche investment within silver and how picking the right silver to stack and identifying trends in the market could pay even bigger dividends.