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Australia Weary Dunlop

1995  Fifty Cent reverse 1995  Fifty Cent obverse

1995 Fifty Cent

Mintage:16,156,200
Reverse Designer:Horst Hahne Obverse Designer:Raphael Maklouf Size:32mm Weight:15.55g Edge:Plain Composition:75% Copper
25% Nickel

Values

Sales History

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Sir Edward Weary Dunlop was a surgeon in the Australian Army during World War II. Sir Dunlop and his troops were captured in 1942 and put to work on Death Railway. To commemorate the 50 years since the end of the war, the Weary Dunlop fifty cent was released. The reverse was designed by Horst Hahne and features a portrait of Sir Dunlop with the legend THEY SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN WORLD WAR II 1939 - 1945 written across barbed wire which depicts his capture by the Japanese. The obverse features the Raphael Maklouf portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II, right-facing, crowned with earrings and necklace. It also has the legend ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1995.

Sir Ernest Edward 'Weary' Dunlop was a legend within his own lifetime. Born in Victoria, Australia on the 12th July 1907, he was to become a symbol of greatness through his endeavours. He graduated from Melbourne University in 1934 after studying medicine (Australian War Memorial, 2014) , but he was also an all-round sportsman. He was the champion boxer at his university and represented the national team in rugby. He was commissioned into the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps as Captain and gained the nickname Weary. He became an outstanding doctor and surgeon.

During the second world war he was captured and laboured on the Burma to Thailand railway. It was here that he often risked his own life to save others. He treated the sick and wounded men that were held by the Japanese and made to endure long hours working on the railway. He gained respect in all aspects of his life, even in his early years. After the war had ended, he continued his tireless work for humanity. He forgave his captors and worked to ensure the health of former prisoners of war and their families. His work was duly noted by Australians and he became a hugely respected figure. Indeed, he was awarded the OBE in the United Kingdom and was Australian of the Year in 1976 whilst also receiving honours from Thailand, India and Sri Lanka. There is a statue of him at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne for all to see.

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