Summary

Australia
Fifty Cent, 1969
Mint: Royal Australian Mint, Canberra

14,105,000 fifty cent coins were struck at Canberra in 1969

Physical Description

A twelve-sided cupru-nickel coin (31.5 mm diameter with plain edge) featuring on the obverse a diademed bust of Elizabeth II right; around, ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1969 The reverse is based on the arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, as authorised by Royal Warrant 19 September 1912 - composed of a shield divided into six parts, each containing a representation of the badge of a State. The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu standing. The shield sits on the denomination numerals, 50; above the shield is the Federation star. The entire design is set above a field of stylized wattle leaves. The artist's initials SD are in the field below the numerals.

Obverse Description

Diademed bust of Elizabeth II right; around, ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1969

Reverse Description

Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, based on those authorised by Royal Warrant 19 September 1912 - composed of a shield divided into six parts, each containing a representation of the badge of a State. The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu. The shield sits on the denomination numerals, 50; above the shield is the Federation star. The entire design is set above a field of stylized wattle leaves. The artist's initials SD are in the field below the numerals..

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

Introduced to replace the silver 1966 fifty cent coin. The twelve-sided form was both to reduce the chance of confusion with the twenty cent piece and to facilitate removal of the silver coins.

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