The 1924 is one of the key dates of the half penny series due in part to its low initial mintage of 681,600. While in lower grades the coin can be readily obtained and still occasionally found in virgin hoards, in mint state it is very rare with probably fewer than 50 examples available. The type is typically well struck up with 8 pearls visible even at the AU50 level and occasionally down in the XF40-45 level, a testament to the maturing half penny production line at the Melbourne mint, but due to the extensive circulation they underwent during the roaring 20's, that is generally the highest grade one can readily obtain. While the coin's rarity in mint state is generally well known, it wasn't long ago that the date was considered on par with the 1930 and 1931 half pennies and while its price has certainly appreciated much faster, some collectors argue that it is still indeed undervalued. In 1924 the Melbourne mint struck proof half pennies as part of a 6 coin set to present at the British Empire Exhibition in London in 1924.
