Between 1998 and 2000 the Royal Australian mint undertook a three-year series dedicated to the 'Coins of the 20th Century'. Each year included a different set consisting of proof silver pieces with a mintage of 15,000 sets. In 1999 the 'Memories' set celebrated six pre-decimal reverse designs including this 1939 Half Penny.
This half penny silver proof piece commemorates the Australian pre-decimal 1939 Half Penny which was the first year to feature Kruger Gray's iconic Kangaroo design. The reverse features the Kruger Gray design with the legend "AUSTRALIA HALF PENNY". The initials of Kruger Gray (KG) are located on the left of the coin below the Kangaroo's tail. The obverse houses the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II with the legend "ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1999" and the denomination "FIVE CENTS".
