This
commemorative
ten Dollar coin is one piece from an 8 coin set known as the State Series. They were released in an annual basis between
the years of 1885-1993, excluding the year 1988. Each coin commemorates a different Australian State or Territory and bears
the Coat of Arms of each one. This coin paying tribute to New South Wales was the third in the series and issued in 1987.
It was joined by Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and Australian Capital
Territory. Each of the coins were produced in sterling silver in both
proof
and mint state condition.
The reverse of the coin was designed by Horst Hahne and features the
Coats of Arms of New South Wales. The
legend
reads "10 DOLLARS" at the very bottom and "COAT OF ARMS NEW SOUTH WALES". The
obverse features Raphael Maklouf's portrait of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth with the legend reading "ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1987".
The two different versions of the coin were issued in different kinds of packaging. The
proof
coin was issued in a black, hinged presentation box. The outer box of which reads "ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT, $10 PROOF COIN, STATE SERIES, 1987".
The mint state
specimen
was sealed onto a card and presented in a wallet style case also including a description card which provided a brief
introduction to the history of the state. Once the entire series had been released a large black presentation case was issued
suitable to house the entire series.
1788 is the year that the colony of New South Wales was founded and as the first colony to be formed from European Settlement,
it included a very large proportion of the Australian landmass.
(Wikipedia, 2013)
It was later separated into individual colonies as the settlers began to spreading to includeTasmania, South Australia,
New Zealand, Victoria and Queensland. It was captain James Cook who discovered New South Wales and claimed it on behalf of
the British Empire. The First Fleet captained by Arthur Phillip brought the first settlers to New South Wales and assumed
role of governor of the new British colony. In the 1800's chaos and anarchy ensued and it was the arrival of Macquarie that
got the colony headed in the right direction with the commission of roads, churches, public building and further explorations
of the continent. In 1906 King Edward VII granted the official coat of arms of the State of New South Wales.
(Wikipedia, 2013)
The blue shield contains the state badge (a red cross with a golden star at the end of each arm and a lion in the centre.)
Also within the shield are two images of a golden fleece and a wheat sheaf. The supporters are a golden lion and a golden
kangaroo whilst the crest is a rising sun.
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