Description

To celebrate the centenary of two icons of Australian childrens’ literature, the Royal Australian Mint presents the set of two coloured $1 coins featuring The Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs, and The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay. Both published in 1918, these characteristically Australian books still delight readers. Everyone who treasures the classic stories will love this set, presenting the lively characters from both books.

May Gibbs had a passion for the Australian bush. It was this passion - and her strong environmental message - that made Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie such a memorable hit. The story of two Gumnut brothers evading danger on their quest to find a human, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie has not been out of print in the hundred years since first published.

Both coins housed in individual presentation cases, set within an illustrated outer sleeve.

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 2018
IRB

Reverse

Depicts a full-colour motif inspired by the story's original illustrations.

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, the gumnut babies, are the protagonists of the story and are modelled on the appearance of young Eucalyptus (gum tree) nuts.

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie is a series of books written by Australian author May Gibbs. The books chronicle the adventures of the eponymous Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. The central story arc concerns Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (who are essentially homunculi) and their adventures along with troubles with the villains of the story, the "Banksia Men". The first book of the series, Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie: their adventures wonderful was published in 1918.

SNUGGLEPOT AND CUDDLEPIE
1 DOLLAR
© NS & CPA 2018
1918-2018

Edge

1 Dollar

4th portrait

Treasured Australian Stories
The Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs

Subscribe series
KM#
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Aluminium Bronze
Weight 9 g
Diameter 25 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Australian Mint (RAM)

Related coins

4th portrait, The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay

Treasured Australian Stories

Aluminium Bronze, 9 g, ⌀ 25 mm