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 1985-1993, 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 Queensland was the fourth in the series and issued in 1989. It
was joined by Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, 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 Queensland. The
legend
reads 10 DOLLARS at the bottom and QUEENSLAND at the top. The obverse
features Raphael Maklouf's portrait of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth with the
legend
reading "ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1989". 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, 1989".
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.
The area that we now know as Queensland was once, as long as 60,000 years ago, a popular area amongst the Aboriginals
whom occupied Australia. Queensland was the first part of Australia to be discovered and landed upon by Europeans when in
1606, Dutch Navigator Willem Janszoon began exploring the west coast. After he left, it was well over 100 years until the
first European Settlers arrived on Australia after James Cook claimed it for the British Empire in 1770. At that time Queensland
was part of the colony of New South Wales. When the area began to be explored it was decided that the penal colony of Brisbane
would be established.
(Wikipedia, 2013)
This was in 1824 and by 1842 it had become a free settlement to which anyone could travel. Queensland was named after
Queen Victoria whom in 1859 made its separation from New south Wales official. In 1892 coat of arms was granted to the colony
of Queensland by Queen Victoria. The additions that are present on the current Cost of Arms were granted by Queen Elizabeth
II in 1977. These additions included the state badge (theMaltesecross with St. Edwards crown in the centre) with two stalks
of sugar cane on either side. The shield depicting a pile of gold rising from quartz, a sheaf of wheat, a bulls head and
a rams head are supported by a red deer and the Brolga crane. The motto "Audax at Fidelis" translates into English as "Bold but Faithful".
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