Australia's 50¢ Commemorative Coins Since it was first issued in 1966, the distinctive 50¢ coin has reminded Australians of important national events.
The 1966 round 50¢ was the only decimal coin for circulation struck in silver. When the price of silver rose in late 1966, the Royal Australian Mint proceeded with plans to release a copper- nickel 12-sided 50¢ coin. The first 50¢ coin with a special commemorative design was issued in 1970. A further ten commemorative 50¢ coins were issued from 1977 to 2000.
From the release of the Captain Cook Bicentenary 50¢ in 1970 to the Student design 50¢ issued in 2004,this complete collection of circulating 50¢ coins has long been the primary vehicle for Australian commemorative celebrations. A definitive appreciation of the series from 2001 to 2004, this complete collection of circulating 50¢ coins illustrates the ongoing importance of the role of the 50¢ coin.
Each obverse bears the master craftsman Ian Rank-Broadley's design of a mature Queen Elizabeth II.
1966 Silver First Issue Dated in the first year of decimal currency, this coin features the Commonwealth Coat- of-Arms. It is the only 50¢coin to be struck in silver and released into circulation.
1970 Captain Cook This first decimal commemorative coin marks the 200th anniversary of Captain Cook's discovery of Australia. The design features Cook and a map showing the voyage path.
1977 Silver Jubilee The 25th anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II is commemorated on this coin. The intricate design depict a wattle blossom symbol surrounded by twenty five crowns.
1981 Royal Wedding The glittering wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer took place in St Paul's Cathedral, London on 29th July 1981.
1982 Commwealth Games. The 12th Commonwealth Games were held in Brisbane in 1982. The design features the Games symbol surrounded by figures representing twelve sports.
1988 Australian Bicentennial Marking the 200 years of European settlement in Australia this striking 50¢ coin features a sailing ship set against an old map of Australia and the Southern Cross constellation.
1991 Decimal Currency This 50¢coin commemorates the 25th anniversary, of decimal currency. The ram's head design was used on pre-decimal shillings from 1938 to 1963.
1994 Year of the Family The United Nations declared 1994 as the International Yet of the Family. The bold design symbolizes the concept of a family unit.
1995 Sir Edward Dunlop. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, this coin features Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop" to represent the courage and, sacrifices of Australians in war.
1998 Bass and Finders This coin marks the first circum-navigation of Tasmania by George Bass and Matthew Flinders in 1798 which proved Tasmania was an island
2000 Millennium This magnificent coin celebrates the start of the new Millennium and displays the Australian flag. The obverse features a new older portrait of the Queen.
2000 Royal Visit Commemorating the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Australia, this coin features an Australian flag flying over Parliament House and St Edwards Crown. A new unique portrait of the Queen appears only on this coin
2001 Australian Coat of Arms Modified in 1912 to include the State symbols on the shield, the Coat of Arms unites two native icons with Australia's Floral Emblem - the Golden Wattle. With seven points representing the States and the Territories, the Commonwealth Star sits over the shield.
2001 New South Wales Coat of Arms Crowned by a rising sun, symbolic of an emerging nation, the NSW Coat of Arms was granted by King Edward VII in 1906. The State Badge is featured on the shield, comprising a golden fleece and sheaves of wheat, in honour of the State's agriculture.
2001 Victorian Coat of Arms Granted by Royal Warrant in 1910, Victoria's Coat of Arms features the Southern Cross on a shield supported by the personifications of Peace and Prosperity. A Kangaroo holding St Edward's Crown sits above, with the State's Floral Emblem below.
2001 Queensland Coat of Arms Granted by Queen Victoria in 1839, the Coat of Arms pays tribute to Queensland's primary industries. The shield features a bull and a ram, a sheaf of wheat and gold, with the State Badge on the crest surrounded by sugar cane. The supporting Brolga and Red Deer were assigned by Elizabeth II in 1977.
2001 South Australian Coat of Arms Replacing the Coat of Arms granted by King Edward VIII in 1936, South Australia's current Coat of Arms is dominated by the Piping Shrike on the shield. The State's Floral Emblem - Sturt's Desert Pea - sits atop, with an array of South Australian agricultural and industrial icons depicted below.
2001 West Australian Coat of Arms Supported by Redl<anaroos, each holding a boomerang, the shield
of the WA Coat of Arms bears the State's emblematic Black Swan. Granted by Elizabeth Il in 1969, the Coat of Arms crest portrays a Crown between Kangaroo Paw flowers.
2001 Tasmanian Coat of Arms Granted by George V in 1917, the State Coat of Arms features a highly symbolic shield supported by two Tasmanian Tigers. A branch of hops, a sheaf of wheat and apples are
found on the shield along with a ram and a lightning bolt to honour the State's hydroelectric power system.
2001 Australian Capital Territory Coat of Arms Supported by swans signifying European and indigenous cultures the ACT Coat of Arms shield bears the Parliament mace and sword of justice above and the Rose of York below a "capital' castle A crowned portcullis, reflecting Canberra's links with Westminister above the shield.
2001 Northern Territory Coat of Arms Acknowledging the key role played by indigenous cultures in Territory, the Coat of Arms bears a wealth of Aboriginal designs. The shield depicts a female figure in
X-ray style bordered by stylized indigenous tribal motifs, with a Wedge tailed Eagle atop an aboriginal carved stone, and Red Kangaroos on either side.
2001 Norfolk Island Coat of Arms Granted in 1980, the Norfolk Island Coat of Arms is distinguished by the cup held by a lion above the shield depicting the Norfolk Pine.From the Coat of Arms of Fletcher Christian, leader of the Mutiny the Bounty, this design is reflective of Norfolk Island's fascinating history.
2002 Year of the Outback A foundation stone of Australian identity, the nation's vast hinterland received official acknowledgment with the designation of 2002 as Year of the Outback. Designed by Wojciech Pietranik, the 2002, Windmill 50¢ honours a true Outback icon.
2003 Australian Volunteers Carrying a complex yet attractive design, the reverse of the 2003 Volunteer 50¢ commemorative offers a striking celebration of the long standing Australian tradition of voluntary work. Superbly designed the Royal Australian Mint's world-renowned artist, Wojciech Pietranik
2004 School Design The work of Keilor East student, John Serrano, this distinctive celebration of Australia was chosen from over 2,500 entries in a competition held in schools across the nation. A wonderful Mint initiative, this coin is a lasting tribute to the talent of Australia's youth
Struck by the Royal Australian Mint from cupro-nickel,
Uncirculated 50¢ coin measures 31.5mm in diameter and weighs 15.55 grams.
And by the time Lim finished posting all of theses his holidays should be over
How about you doing a few of the fifty cents 
Posted 12/28/2005 11:49 am
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