1966 Australian Fifty Cents (50c) Round

The 1966 round fifty cent coin was introduced on 14 February 1966 as part of the transition to decimal currency. It has a nominal value of half an Australian dollar, equivalent to five shillings of the Australian pound that the dollar replaced.

The round fifty cent coins contained 80% silver and 20% copper but, because the value of silver quickly increased after the coins were issued, their bullion value became higher than their face value, so they were withdrawn from circulation. A total of 36.45 million coins were minted, with 14 million being put into circulation.

• Obverse:  The obverse of the coin features the crowned and draped young bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right - her effigy known as the "Second Portrait", by Arnold Machin.

  The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Rank-Broadley and the Gottwald portraits.

  Around, the monarch's legend and the date of issue: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1966.

• Reverse:  Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, based on those authorised by Royal Warrant 19 September 1912 - composed of a shield divided into six parts, each containing a representation of the badge of a State. The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu. The shield sits on the denomination numerals, 50 [cents]; above the shield is the Federation star. The entire design is set above a field of stylized wattle leaves.

  The artist's initials SD (for Stuart Devlin) in (very) tiny letters are in the field below the numerals.

Specifications