Description

To commemorate Australia’s last major action in the Vietnam War, the Royal Australian Mint has released a new commemorative coin, marking the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Núi Lé.

The Battle of Núi Lé (21 September 1971) was part of Operation Ivanhoe and the last major battle fought by Australian and New Zealand forces in South Vietnam. The five killed in action were the last Australian soldiers to die in combat in Vietnam. The battle was fought in the former Phước Tuy Province between elements of the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 33rd Regiment and 'B' and 'D' Companies of the 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion and during Operation Ivanhoe. Núi Lé, a small hill within Quang Thanh commune in Chau Duc District, is today in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

Obverse

6th crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right (the Commonwealth effigy), wearing the George IV State Diadem, the Coronation Necklace and Earrings.

The portrait by Jody Clark with the shoulders has been made for use on the coins of the Crown dependencies, British Overseas Territories and countries of the Commonwealth. The Jody Clark portrait without the shoulders (UK 5th portrait) is for exclusive use on coins of the United Kingdom.

The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewellery has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

The Coronation Necklace was Made for Queen Victoria in 1858 by Garrard & Co., it is 38 cm (15 in) long and consists of 25 cushion diamonds and the 22-carat (4.4 g) Lahore Diamond as a pendant. It has been used together with the Coronation Earrings by queens regnant and consort at every coronation since 1901.

Designer: Jody Clark

ELIZABETH II
AUSTRALIA 2021
JC

Reverse

Depicts a dynamic scene that includes Australian soldiers embarking on an Iroquois helicopter, exploding napalm and a US F4 Phantom flies above.

The Bell UH-1 Iroquois (nicknamed "Huey") is a utility military helicopter powered by a single turboshaft engine, with two-bladed main and tail rotors. The Iroquois was originally designated HU-1, hence the Huey nickname, which has remained in common use, despite the official redesignation to UH-1 in 1962. The Royal Australian Air Force employed the UH-1H until 1989. Iroquois helicopters of No. 9 Squadron RAAF were deployed to South Vietnam in mid-1966 in support of the 1st Australian Task Force.

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is an American tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It is equipped with heat-seeking missiles and napalm bombs. The United States began using the F-4 Phantom to counter the North Vietnamese Army's MiG-17.

Designer: Aaron Baggio

YS 513857
50
The BATTLE of
NUI LE

Edge

50 Cents

6th portrait

Last Battles of the Vietnam War
50th Anniversary of the Battle of Battle of Núi Lé

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KM#
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 15.55 g
Diameter 31.51 mm
Thickness 3 mm
Shape polygon
Sides 12
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Australian Mint (RAM)

Related coins

6th portrait, 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Khánh

Last Battles of the Vietnam War

Cupronickel, 15.55 g, ⌀ 31.51 mm