1970 Australian Fifty Cents (50c) Captain James Cook - Specimen

Specimen Australian Decimal Coin in Case

This uncirculated commemorative fifty cents coins marks the bicentenary (200 years) of James Cook's 1770 voyage. The reverse design by Stuart Devlin is based on a painting by John Webber. The inclusion of Cook's signature on the reverse is thought to be the first use of a facsimile signature on a coin. It has now been in circulation for 56 years.

No regular (Coat of Arms) fifty cent coins were issued in 1970.

• 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: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1970.

  
  

• Reverse:A bust of James Cook facing three-quarters right; the date 1770 and Cook's signature are across the bust; in the background is a map of Australia with a dotted line showing Cook's voyage up the East Coast.

  The designer's initials SD (for Stuart Devlin) are inside Cook's signature. Around below, the denomination FIFTY CENTS.