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Whilst the mint does indeed use heptagonally pre-shaped blanks for striking 20p's and 50p's, for the dodecahedral brass threepences and now the new pounds, they use circular blanks (the external angles are more shallow and can be squeezed ok into the 12 sided collars that are used). Proof of this is both during WW2 when steel was at a premium, the mint used "blunter" cornered collars which lasted longer than the normal sharp cornered ones, leading to slightly smoother angled coins, and also with this 1960 threepence brockage which has been struck proud of its collar and retains its circular shape... It weighs 6.85 grams too, so I am perfectly happy your piece is a legitimate blank. The rough surfaces and edges are no problem either - they are all squeezed out smooth when the annealed blank goes through the press. Other denomination blanks I have are similarly a bit rough and ready!

Remember that odd mini craze for 1974 sets a year or two back?

Royal Australian Mint., Denison St., Canberra, ACT,* 2600 *ACT Australian Capitol Territory

Thanks for your replies, everyone! I'll do some more digging. I would assume the Royal Australian Mint, judging by John's alias.

That will last no further than 2023! Remember in 2001 when 1951 crowns hit £20 which was double what they were in 2000?

I do wonder what would be a good or even defensive investment today. Inflation is sky high, sterling is rock bottom, FTSE is not doing well and a (possibly long and ugly) recession is just around the corner.