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. If you like I can post the site in which I found the info. 
Posted 02/18/2005 08:00 am
And this weeks Winner is Nohope587
Richard- email me an address and I will post your prize
Now the full information on the Australian 50 cent piece:
The 50 cent piece remains the only, and likely to be the last, circulating decimal coin to have been issued in Australia with a silver content (80 percent). Value got up to over two dollars per coin.
There were no mintings of the 50 cent coin in 1967 or 1968. When it next appeared in 1969, its shape was changed to dodecagonal (12 sided) to remove the confusion generated by the similarity in size of the round 50 cent piece and the only slightly smaller 20 cents.
Type 1 1966
Specifications; Composition 80 % Silver, 20 % Copper.
Reeded edge. Weight 13.28 Grams, Size 31.50mm.
Type 2 1966 to now
Specifications; Composition 75 % Copper, 25 % Nickel
Plain edge. Weight 15.55 Grams, Size 31.50mm.
The standard 50 cent piece carries a representation of the Australian Coat of Arms which is the six state badges on a central shield supported by a kangaroo and an emu, with a background of Mitchell grass. The 50 cent piece is often minted with special designs for commemorative purposes. The 1994 coin, for example, carries a design which commemorates the International year of the Family. Other commemorative designs appeared on the 50 cent coin in 1970, '81, '82, '88 and '91.
The Fifty Cent Myth
Much has been written about the glamour piece of the new coins - the 50 cent piece. It remains the only, and likely to be the last, circulating decimal coin to have been issued in Australia with a silver content (80 percent). All other pieces have been either bronze or copper-nickel (many non-circulating, precious metal issues have been subsequently released to collectors at a premium above their legal tender, face value).
The Royal Australian Mint in Canberra struck over 36 million 50 cent pieces before rising silver prices halted production. A quarter of a million pieces, held at the mint when the directive to cease production was announced, never saw the light of day. They were duly melted down. Since that time a gradual recall and melting down of all pieces which make their way back to the mint has occured, at a hansome profit to the Government.
However, many million remain in existence as hoarding them has become a national pastime. They remain a very collectible item in uncirculated condition, but are now regarded as no more than a bullion value coin in lesser grade. Each coin contains approximately one third ounce of silver. The value of the coin continues to generate confusion among the general public. Today, they are worth around $3 each. During the silver boom of the early 1980's, their intrinsic value reached highs of $11 to $15, much healtheir than the prices of today.
There were no mintings of the 50 cent coin in 1967 or 1968. When it next appeared in 1969, its shape was changed to dodecagonal (12 sided) to remove the confusion generated by the similarity in size of the round 50 cent piece and the only slightly smaller 20 cents.
After the first few years, the Canberra mint was self-sufficient in coin production. With the closure of the Melbourne mint in 1968, only two mints remained in Australia - Canberra and After the first few years, the Canberra mint was self-sufficient in coin production. With the closure of the Melbourne mint in 1968, only two mints remained in Australia - Canberra and Perth.
A burst of consumer spending in 1972-73 created a shortfall of about 40 million coins by early 1974. Industrial problems complicated the situation, and despite huge production runs totalling some 420 million coins in the year, the problem had not been overcome. Bronze and cupro-nickel strips, to be cut into blanks, were obtained from external sources and the Perth Mint was called to help out by producing 229 million 2 cent coins.
In 1981, a long strike at the Canberra mint resulted in a further call for outside help, this time the Royal Canadian Mint and the new British mint in Wales helped out. At the time, the Canberra mint had little comment to make about the involvement of the overseas interest. However, the news soon got out - the September 1982 issue of the Australian Coin Review offered the proof.
A 1966 fifty cent piece
A later date fifty cent piece
Richard- email me an address and I will post your prize
Now the full information on the Australian 50 cent piece:
The 50 cent piece remains the only, and likely to be the last, circulating decimal coin to have been issued in Australia with a silver content (80 percent). Value got up to over two dollars per coin.
There were no mintings of the 50 cent coin in 1967 or 1968. When it next appeared in 1969, its shape was changed to dodecagonal (12 sided) to remove the confusion generated by the similarity in size of the round 50 cent piece and the only slightly smaller 20 cents.
Type 1 1966
Specifications; Composition 80 % Silver, 20 % Copper.
Reeded edge. Weight 13.28 Grams, Size 31.50mm.
Type 2 1966 to now
Specifications; Composition 75 % Copper, 25 % Nickel
Plain edge. Weight 15.55 Grams, Size 31.50mm.
The standard 50 cent piece carries a representation of the Australian Coat of Arms which is the six state badges on a central shield supported by a kangaroo and an emu, with a background of Mitchell grass. The 50 cent piece is often minted with special designs for commemorative purposes. The 1994 coin, for example, carries a design which commemorates the International year of the Family. Other commemorative designs appeared on the 50 cent coin in 1970, '81, '82, '88 and '91.
The Fifty Cent Myth
Much has been written about the glamour piece of the new coins - the 50 cent piece. It remains the only, and likely to be the last, circulating decimal coin to have been issued in Australia with a silver content (80 percent). All other pieces have been either bronze or copper-nickel (many non-circulating, precious metal issues have been subsequently released to collectors at a premium above their legal tender, face value).
The Royal Australian Mint in Canberra struck over 36 million 50 cent pieces before rising silver prices halted production. A quarter of a million pieces, held at the mint when the directive to cease production was announced, never saw the light of day. They were duly melted down. Since that time a gradual recall and melting down of all pieces which make their way back to the mint has occured, at a hansome profit to the Government.
However, many million remain in existence as hoarding them has become a national pastime. They remain a very collectible item in uncirculated condition, but are now regarded as no more than a bullion value coin in lesser grade. Each coin contains approximately one third ounce of silver. The value of the coin continues to generate confusion among the general public. Today, they are worth around $3 each. During the silver boom of the early 1980's, their intrinsic value reached highs of $11 to $15, much healtheir than the prices of today.
There were no mintings of the 50 cent coin in 1967 or 1968. When it next appeared in 1969, its shape was changed to dodecagonal (12 sided) to remove the confusion generated by the similarity in size of the round 50 cent piece and the only slightly smaller 20 cents.
After the first few years, the Canberra mint was self-sufficient in coin production. With the closure of the Melbourne mint in 1968, only two mints remained in Australia - Canberra and After the first few years, the Canberra mint was self-sufficient in coin production. With the closure of the Melbourne mint in 1968, only two mints remained in Australia - Canberra and Perth.
A burst of consumer spending in 1972-73 created a shortfall of about 40 million coins by early 1974. Industrial problems complicated the situation, and despite huge production runs totalling some 420 million coins in the year, the problem had not been overcome. Bronze and cupro-nickel strips, to be cut into blanks, were obtained from external sources and the Perth Mint was called to help out by producing 229 million 2 cent coins.
In 1981, a long strike at the Canberra mint resulted in a further call for outside help, this time the Royal Canadian Mint and the new British mint in Wales helped out. At the time, the Canberra mint had little comment to make about the involvement of the overseas interest. However, the news soon got out - the September 1982 issue of the Australian Coin Review offered the proof.
A 1966 fifty cent piece
A later date fifty cent piece
rggoodie
aka Richard
"catch em doing something right"
aka Richard
"catch em doing something right"
Edited by rggoodie
02/18/2005 08:02 am
02/18/2005 08:02 am
