When John Platts received a shipment of coins in preparation for the Year of the Rabbit, he had no idea how valuable they would be.
The silver-coloured 50-cent pieces, which arrived in decorative red folders, are likely among the last Australian coins minted with the image of Queen Elizabeth II on them.
And they bear a date stamp of 2023.
"People want to know if we have anything available for 2023 and we do have coins that have already arrived," Mr Platts from Mackay Coins and Stamps said.
"We can't send them back, so we get to keep them ... but they have to destroy anything that's not being issued by the Royal Australian Mint."
The north Queensland coin dealer thought that would make the coin very valuable in years to come.
"It's going to be very interesting to see what that will be worth in the years to come," he said.
'We're all out'
As soon as news spread of the Monarch's passing, Mr Platts' phone started ringing non-stop.
"People wanted anything to do with the Queen's anniversaries, the new Platinum coins, mint sets, proof sets," he said.
"I had a phone call from a man in Longreach and he said, 'I've got $2,000 to spend and I want to spend it on Queen coins'.
"People want to put a bit of their spare money into their Queen."
Demand had been so strong for the husband-and-wife business that they had been processing a week's worth of orders each day.
"We actually sent out more than 100 parcels within 24 hours and we're sending them all over the world," Mr Platts said.
"From Japan through to America, to China, Germany. [Coin collecting] is very popular in Germany.
"We've sold out of everything in a week."
Mr Platts said in times of unrest and uncertainty people often looked to coins and stamps as safe havens for investment.
Value skyrockets overnight
In the hours after the Queen's passing was announced, there were a number of collectables that jumped significantly in value.
Among them is a $1 note, which is now valued at $6 and the recently released commemorative 50-cent coin for the Platinum Jubilee.
"It's gone from $12.40 to $140 overnight," Mr Platts said.
"And the Silver Jubilee, the 1977 50-cent piece, everyone's chasing that, so it's doubled in price.
"Stamps are also doing amazing, just as rare … anything to do with the 1954 Coronation is getting very popular."
Mr Platts said while regular coins in circulation might not increase much in value, special edition coins — usually the 50-cent — were worth keeping an eye out for.
Collectors' sets issued for special occasions were also expected to increase in value.
The health care heroes set was issued for 2022 and is the last official set with the Queen's image on it.
"It's very valuable, it's doubled in price … up to about $200."
Mr Platts said the first run of coins bearing King Charles III image would also be worth keeping in a safe place for the future.
"There will be a limited number of commemorative coins, and they'll be very collectable," he said.
"[The Royal Australian Mint] will bring out a special 50-cent piece and a special $2 coin and they'll put out gold and silver ones as well.
"If you can get your hands on them it'd be well worthwhile holding onto them."
