Obverse. Photo © Downies
  • 50 Cents 2008, KM# 1062, Australia, Elizabeth II, 25th Anniversary Australia's Win of the America's Cup
  • 50 Cents 2008, KM# 1062, Australia, Elizabeth II, 25th Anniversary Australia's Win of the America's Cup
Description

The 2008 Australia II 50c coin was released by the Royal Australian Mint as a collector coin not intended for general circulation. This is known as NCLT or non-circulating legal tender.

It commemorates 25 years since Australia II's America's Cup victory in 1983. This victory was attributed to the famous Lexcen-designed winged keel and ended the USA's 132 year winning streak in this sporting event.

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 2008
IRB

Reverse

Depicts the vessel Australia II riding the waves with the special keel showing below the waters' surface.

Australia II (KA 6) is an Australian 12-metre-class America's Cup challenge racing yacht that was launched in 1982 and won the 1983 America's Cup for the Royal Perth Yacht Club. Skippered by John Bertrand, she was the first successful Cup challenger, ending a 132-year tenure (with 26 successful defences) by the New York Yacht Club.

Engraver: Caitlin Goodall

25TH ANNIVERSARY AUSTRALIA II VICTORY
50
CG

Edge

50 Cents

4th portrait

25th Anniversary Australia's Win of the America's Cup

KM# 1062
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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