Obverse. Photo © Downies
  • 50 Cents 2010, KM# 1571, Australia, Elizabeth II, Engagement of Prince William and Catherine Middleton
  • 50 Cents 2010, KM# 1571, Australia, Elizabeth II, Engagement of Prince William and Catherine Middleton
Description

As Australia’s official coin producer for 45 years and in keeping with the tradition of celebrating milestones of the Royal Family, the Royal Australian Mint ireleased these commemorative collectible 50 cent coins to celebrate the engagement of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton. Their engagement was announced on November 16th 2010.

The coin is presented in a credit card style packaging.

Obverse

Fourth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara.

The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara was a wedding present in 1947 from her grandmother, Queen Mary, who received it as a gift from the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland in 1893 on the occasion of her marriage to the Duke of York, later George V. Made by E. Wolfe & Co., it was purchased from Garrard & Co. by a committee organised by Lady Eve Greville. In 1914, Mary adapted the tiara to take 13 diamonds in place of the large oriental pearls surmounting the tiara. At first, Elizabeth wore the tiara without its base and pearls but the base was reattached in 1969. The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara is one of Elizabeth's most recognisable pieces of jewellery due to its widespread use on British banknotes and coinage.

Engraver: Ian Rank-Broadley

ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2010
IRB

Reverse

A collection of roses in a circle and Prince William's coat of arms surrounded by ornate ribbons.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (born 21 June 1982) is the elder son of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales. He is second in the line of succession to the British throne, after his father. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (Catherine Elizabeth "Kate"; née Middleton; born 9 January 1982) is the wife of Prince William.

Prince William was granted a personal coat of arms on his 18th birthday. It is based on the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, with a white (or silver) label with three points, the centre point bearing a red clam shell (an "escallop"), to distinguish it from the arms of other members of the Royal Family. The escallop is drawn from the Spencer coat of arms, a reference to his mother, who was the daughter of the Earl Spencer.

Engraver: Stuart Devlin

H.R.H. PRINCE WILLIAM AND MISS CATHERINE MIDDLETON
FIFTY CENTS

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 15.55 g
Diameter 31.5 mm
Thickness 3 mm
Shape polygon
Sides 12
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Australian Mint (RAM)

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