1917 Australian Coinage of King George V Pre Decimal 6 Coin Year SetKing George V acceded to the throne in 1910, following the death of King Edward VII. The first Australian coins with his portrait are dated 1911, which also included a copper halfpenny and penny for the first time. Silver coins were first struck in Australia in 1916. After 1918, all copper and silver coins of King George V were struck in Australia. Commemorative florins were issued for the opening of Parliament House, Canberra (1927) and the centenary