Obverse. Photo © Downies
  • 50 Cents 2001, KM# 553, Australia, Elizabeth II, 100th Anniversary of Federation, Australian Capital Territory
  • 50 Cents 2001, KM# 553, Australia, Elizabeth II, 100th Anniversary of Federation, Australian Capital 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. Fiji and New Zealand were originally part of this process, but they decided not to join the federation. 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. When the Constitution of Australia came into force, on 1 January 1901, the colonies collectively became states of the Commonwealth of Australia.

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 Australian Capital Territory has no Coat of Arms. The city of Canberra, the national capital of Australia, was granted a Coat of Arms by King George V in 1928 and consists of black and white swans supporting a shield. The shield includes a medieval castle and a crossed Sword of Justice and mace (a symbol of Parliament). Beneath the castle is the Rose of York, for the Duke of York who declared Canberra the Seat of Government in 1927. Above the shield are a gate, a crown and a gum tree. The black and white swans represent the Aboriginal and European races. The motto is "Pro Rege, Lege et Grege" - "For the Queen, the Law and the People".

The Australian Capital Territory is Australia's federal district enclaved within the state of New South Wales containing Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The need for a national territory was considered by colonial delegates during the Federation conventions of the late 19th century and included in the Australian Constitution that land would be ceded freely to the new Federal Government. The territory was transferred to the Commonwealth by the state of New South Wales prior to the naming of Canberra as the national capital in 1913.

CENTENARY OF FEDERATION
1901 2001
FOR THE QUEEN, THE LAW AND THE PEOPLE
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL
TERRITORY
FIFTY CENTS

Edge

50 Cents

4th portrait
KM# 553
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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