RARE CHANGE / COINS / PLATE 21 · 5/- · 1937 · MELBOURNE
1937 crown, and what it's worth
The Australian five shilling crown dated 1937, struck at the Melbourne Mint for the coronation of George VI, with a large crown on the reverse.
A genuine one, never used
$220
Middle half of sales $140 to $280. Lowest $70, highest $1,000.
Hammer prices (before buyer's fees) from 37 single-item sales at Noble Numismatics and Downies, 2016 to 2026. Updated 30 Oct 2026.
Prices by condition
AUDWorn coins sell for less. Find the row that looks most like yours.
Lightly wornVery Fine · 1 sale
Too few sales for a fair price
Barely wornExtremely Fine · 11 sales
$70
Never usedUncirculated · 25 sales
$220
Line: lowest to highest sale. Box: the middle half of sales. Dot: the median, half sold for more and half for less.
Recent sales
HammerHow to check yours
Each letter on the drawing marks where to look. A magnifying glass or your phone's zoom helps.
-
Check A: Does the date under the crown read 1938 rather than 1937?
The date under the crown on the reverse- YES
- The date under the crown reads 1938.
- NO
- The date under the crown reads 1937.
-
Check B: Does the reverse show a crown with COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA around it?
The whole reverse- YES
- A large crown in the centre with COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA above and ONE CROWN below.
- NO
- A different design, such as a shield of arms, or a legend that does not mention Australia.
-
Check C: Is there a small patch of fine cross-hatched lines (die polish) in the hair above the ear, the sign of a 1937 proof?
The hair just above the ear on the obverse- YES
- A small area of fine criss-cross lines shows in the hair above the ear.
- NO
- The hair above the ear shows only normal hair lines or wear.
The free photo checker is on its way.
Record
- Face value
- 5/-
- Year
- 1937
- Mint
- Melbourne
- 1,008,000 were struck in 1937. [4][3]
- The crown was first planned for the accession of Edward VIII. After his abdication it was struck for George VI instead. [4][5]
- Struck at the Melbourne Mint. [1][3][5]
- Made of sterling silver, 38.5 mm across and about 28.3 grams. [4][3]
- The portrait of George VI is by T. H. Paget and the crown reverse is by George Kruger Gray. [4][3]
- The coin proved unpopular, and only a much smaller run followed in 1938. [4][5]
Questions
How much is a 1937 crown worth?
A genuine 1937 crown in never used condition (Uncirculated) has typically sold for $220 at Australian auctions, with the middle half of sales between $140 and $280. Better-preserved examples sell for more.
How do I know if my 1937 crown is genuine?
Work through the checks above. They cover what genuine examples show and what altered or different versions don't. A photo can't prove a coin or note is genuine, so for a valuable find, ask a professional numismatist or a grading service before you sell.
Should I clean it?
No. Cleaning leaves fine scratches that collectors spot at once, and cleaned coins and notes sell for much less. Keep it as it is, in a paper envelope or a coin holder.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from at least two independent sources. Prices come from our own record of auction results.
- Coin - Crown (5 Shillings), Australia, 1937, read 29 Oct 2026
- Coin - Crown (5 Shillings), Australia, 1938, read 29 Oct 2026
- Australia 1937 Crown, read 29 Oct 2026
- Crown (Australian coin), read 29 Oct 2026
- Noble Numismatics lot 132705 (Golder Edward VIII pattern crown), read 29 Oct 2026