The Kangaroo design continued into this type, while after the coronation of Elizabeth II in late 1952 the design changed
to the bust of Elizabeth II facing to the right with the
legend, ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA ('Elizabeth
II, by the grace of god, queen'), designed by Mary Gillick. This
legend
was only used in 1953 and was then altered due to public outcry over the omission of FIDEI DEF ('defender of the faith').
Both dates are relatively difficult to find in top grades, though the good strikes of the 1953 Melbourne do permit higher
grades. The 1953-A is often found very poorly struck up from impaired dies and is, therefore, very difficult to find in upper
mint state grades. The Melbourne and Perth mints both struck pennies in 1953 with the 1953 Perth
featuring a dot after the 'A' in AUSTRALIA.
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