Second Range Crossing coins 'not worth the hype'

"This hoard was probably buried by someone who went to the war in 1940 and died."

One of the coins - a 1927 silver florin - found during construction of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing. Picture: Contributed

THE hoard of coins found on the bypass has made a lot of news in the past few days as some wonderful heritage find. In reality they are common, worn-out coins which are only worth the silver content.

I have been the only coin dealer in Toowoomba for the past 20 years and buy these sort of coins in quantity regularly.

This hoard was probably buried by someone who went to the war in 1940 and died.

Unless they were buried by some very notable local entity there is no heritage value whatsoever in this find.

The report that they are all Australian coins from 1882 to 1940 is incorrect as Australia only minted silver coins from 1910. Those before 1910 are very likely very worn-out English silver or very common English pennies which Australia used as currency.

Gold sovereigns were minted in Australia from 1855 to 1930 and only worth more than bullion price if they are uncirculated or dated before 1880.

If the hoard is all florins then the retail value would be about $30,000. I suggest about 50 be kept with the box and the rest sold and the money given to charity.

DENNIS KRONK, Toowoomba

Originally published as Second Range Crossing coins 'not worth the hype'