Obverse. Photo © Royal Australian Mint
  • 50 Cents 2019-2023, Australia, Elizabeth II
  • 50 Cents 2019-2023, Australia, Elizabeth II
Description

In 2019 the Royal Australian Mint (RAM) has updated the standard 50-cent coin with the Jody Clark 6th Portrait of the Queen on the obverse (6th portrait). It was issued in bags of 20 at RAM "Pop up Shops" at various locations throughout Australia in 2019.

It was initially issued by the RAM as part of a 5 coin set to commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Dodecagon 50-cent coin. The five coins in the set each display a different effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

The RAM did not produce an Uncirculated Set of the 2019 Jody Clark 6th Portrait First Issue coins. However, an aftermarket set that included this coin & the other five denominations was put together and issued by Downies.

The coin was issued in Uncirculated & Proof annual sets, and Uncirculated & Proof baby sets from 2020.

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.

ELIZABETH II • AUSTRALIA 2021
JC

Reverse

Australia coat of arms (the escutcheon is carried by a Red Kangaroo and an Emu) and the numeral 50.

The escutcheon is the focal point of the coat of arms, contained within is the badge of each Australian state, the whole surrounded by an ermine border representing the federation of the states:

· New South Wales: the cross of St. George with lion and stars;
· Victoria: an Imperial Crown and Southern Cross;
· Queensland: a blue Maltese Cross and Crown;
· South Australia: the Australian piping shrike;
· Western Australia: a black swan;
· Tasmania: a red walking lion.

In the top half, from left to right, the states represented are: New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. In the bottom half, from left to right: South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Above the shield is the seven-pointed Commonwealth Star or Star of Federation above a blue and gold wreath, forming the crest. Six of the points on the star represent the original six states, while the seventh point represents the combined territories and any future states of Australia. In its entirety the shield represents the federation of Australia.

The Red Kangaroo and Emu that support the shield have never been designated as official animal emblems of the nation. They owe their unofficial recognition to the fact that they are native Australian fauna (found only on that continent), and likely chosen because they are the most well-known native Australian animals large enough to be positioned together in scale holding up the shield.

The Commonwealth coat of arms is the formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia. The first arms were authorised by King Edward VII on 7 May 1908, and the current version by King George V on 19 September 1912.

Engraver: Stuart Devlin

50
SD

Edge

50 Cents

6th portrait
KM#
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 15.55 g
Diameter 31.51 mm
Thickness 3 mm
Shape polygon
Sides 12
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Australian Mint (RAM)

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