Obverse. Photo © Royal Australian Mint
  • 50 Cents 2012, KM# 1854, Australia, Elizabeth II, 50th Anniversary of the Australian Ballet
  • 50 Cents 2012, KM# 1854, Australia, Elizabeth II, 50th Anniversary of the Australian Ballet
Description

2012 celebrates 50 years since the Australian Ballet was founded and first performed at Her Majesty's Theatre in Sydney. The roots of the Australian Ballet can be found in the Borovansky Ballet, a company founded in 1940 by the Czech dancer Edouard Borovansky. Five decades later the company is based in Melbourne also performing in theatres internationally and across Australia including the Sydney Opera House. Presenting over 200 performances each year including new works and the classics the team of dancers, choreographers, designers, teachers, composers and costumiers produce stunning and captivating entertainment.

This 50c is released in a collector card in uncirculated finish. It is also presented in silver proof. This design is not intended to circulate but is issued for the collector market.

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 2012
IRB

Reverse

Depicts dancers in front of a cursive inscription.This coin depicts engraver's initials between the dancers' feet, a stylised AB.

Engraver: Aaron Baggio

fifty Years of the Australian Ballet
50
AB

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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