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Australia Year of Space

1992 Matte Proof Five Dollar reverse 1992 Matte Proof Five Dollar obverse

1992 Matte Proof Five Dollar

Mintage:25,000
Figure shared with:
Proof
Reverse Designer:John Skillington Obverse Designer:Raphael Maklouf Size:38.5mm Weight:28g Edge:Reeded Composition:92% Copper
6% Aluminium
2% Nickel

Values

Sales History

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Australia has played a significant and ongoing role in space technology and research and has made an important contribution to deep space tracking. Australia was also heavily involved in the Apollo 11 mission, which led to the first man ever to walk on the moon. The Year of Space Five Dollar coin was issued in 1992 as both an uncirculated business strike and as proof strikes in the normal aluminium bronze alloy and in silver. The item is a commemorative coin, which is intended to represent the considerable achievement and ongoing contributions made by Australia to the industry of International Space Travel. The reverse features a special design created by John Skillington and includes the Southern Cross above a map of Australia. John Skillington of New South Wales was the creative winner of a nationwide competition held in 1991, the prize of which was to have his design featured. The reverse features the traditional effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, by Maklouf and the legend ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1992.

The original packaging for the 1992 Year of Space Commemorative Coin is of course also designed according to the space theme. As well as a brief description of the coin, the packaging also includes an inspirational space related quote, which reads "Space. Since the dawn of time man has looked to the night sky with wonderment and fascination, drawn to the stars with almost mystic curiosity". This is an apt and appropriate description of the attitude that man holds towards space and the universe. The packaging goes on to say To commemorate Australia's invaluable and ongoing role in space technology and research, the Royal Australian Mint has produced this very special $5 coin. For anyone with an interest in Australia's involvement and contribution to International Space Travel, this commemorative coin makes a great memento.

A film named 'The Dish' was released in 2000 which depicts the way in which the Parkes Observatory was used in order to capture and relay on live television the video transmission of man's first steps on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. The film became the top grossing film in Australia in the year 2000 and although the personal stories are somewhat fictional, the way in which the radio telescope at Parkes and the Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station were utilised is accurate. A lot of the credit for receiving the live images of those first steps on the moon must be given to Australia as the primary receiving station. NASA was alternating the television signal between different stations but Parkes quickly emerged as the far superior option. Australia continues to contribute to space related research and has a number of programs aimed to encourage young people to become involved with the industry.

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