Australia Elizabeth II 50 Cents

History

50 Cents 1995, KM# 294, Australia, Elizabeth II, 50th Anniversary of WWII End, Edward

Obverse. Photo © Downies

Description

Australia entered World War II on 3 September 1939, following the government's acceptance of the United Kingdom's declaration of war on Nazi Germany. By the end of the war, almost a million Australians had served in the armed forces, whose military units fought primarily in the European theatre, North African campaign, and the South West Pacific theatre. In addition, Australia came under direct attack for the first time in its post-colonial history.

From 1942 until early 1944, Australian forces played a key role in the Pacific War, making up the majority of Allied strength throughout much of the fighting in the South West Pacific theatre. While the military was largely relegated to subsidiary fronts from mid-1944, it continued offensive operations against the Japanese until the war ended.

Obverse	Crown, jewelry Diamond Diadem Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Elizabeth II Third crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem. The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewellery has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. Engraver: Raphael David Maklouf ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1995 RDM
Reverse	Person (military) Edward "Weary" Dunlop World War II 50th anniversary Bust of Dunlop at centre, value below, framed by barbed wire. Colonel Sir Ernest Edward "Weary" Dunlop (1907–1993) was an Australian surgeon who was appointed to medical headquarters in the Middle East during World War II. He became a Japanese prisoner of war in 1942 when he was captured in Bandung, Java, together with the hospital he was commanding. Along with a number of other Commonwealth Medical Officers, Dunlop's dedication and heroism became a legend among prisoners. A courageous leader and compassionate doctor, he restored morale in those terrible prison camps and jungle hospitals. Dunlop defied his captors, gave hope to the sick and eased the anguish of the dying. He became, in the words of one of his men, "a lighthouse of sanity in a universe of madness and suffering". His example was one of the reasons why Australian survival rates were the highest. Engravers: Louis Laumen, Horst Hahne THEY SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN WORLD WAR II 1939-1945 'WEARY' DUNLOP 50 HH
Edge	Plain

50 Cents

3rd portrait

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1995 Australia

50th Anniversary of WWII End
Edward "Weary" Dunlop

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Elizabeth II

KM# 294 Schön# 275

Characteristics

Type	Commemorative Issue (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)