Obverse. Photo © Downies
  • 50 Cents 2001, KM# 559, Australia, Elizabeth II, 100th Anniversary of Federation, Northern Territory
  • 50 Cents 2001, KM# 559, Australia, Elizabeth II, 100th Anniversary of Federation, Northern Territory
Description

The Federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing colonies of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia agreed to unite and form the Commonwealth of Australia, establishing a system of federalism in Australia. Following federation, the six colonies that united to form the Commonwealth of Australia as states kept the systems of government (and the bicameral legislatures) that they had developed as separate colonies, but they also agreed to have a federal government that was responsible for matters concerning the whole nation. On 1 January 1911, a decade after federation, the Northern Territory was separated from South Australia and transferred to Commonwealth control.

In 2001 there were many coins released into circulation by the Royal Australian Mint commemorating the Australian Centenary of Federation. A one dollar coin, ten 50 cent coins and nine 20 cent coins. Nine of the 50 cent coins depicted the coat of arms of each state and territory of Australia that were joined together in 1901 at Australia's Federation.

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 2001
IRB

Reverse

The coat of arms of the Northern Territory was officially granted by royal warrant of Queen Elizabeth II on 11 September 1978. It features a shield containing two aboriginal designs associated with Arnhem Land, a female Aboriginal figure and two carved motifs. On either side of the shield is a sprig of Sturt's Desert Rose. The shield is supported by two red Kangaroos holding shells. At the crest is a wedge-tailed eagle, with wings splayed, on a rock. Beneath the rock is a helmet. This is the only Australian Coat of Arms to contain all the bird, animal and floral emblems for that state/territory.

The Northern Territory is a federal Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The capital and largest city is Darwin. Residents of the Northern Territory are often known simply as "Territorians" and fully as "Northern Territorians", or more informally as "Top Enders" and "Centralians".

The Northern Territory remains a territory even after being granted self government in 1978 which means that citizens do not have the same rights as those Australians that live in the states. Almost one third of the population is aborigine - the first people - and they control, through the Land Rights Act as much as 80 % of the territory.

CENTENARY OF FEDERATION
1901 2001
NORTHERN TERRITORY
FIFTY CENTS

Edge

50 Cents

4th portrait
KM# 559
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)

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