This $5 silver
proof
coin commemorates the contributions of Cobb & Co, for his role in transportation and to the development of the country
as an effective and successful colony. This coin is just one out of a five piece set of five dollar coins, each struck in
sterling silver and each of which commemorates a person, place or event that played an invaluable role in turning the continent
of Australia from the penal settlement it once was into the thriving nation it is today. On first arrival the Australian
terrain provided a harsh and somewhat hostile environment in which to survive, but thanks to these early efforts in pioneering
the country was able to celebrate industry, communications, transport and economy. All of these things helped to improve
the quality of life that could be sustained by the people. Joining Elizabeth McArthur being commemorated in this culturally
significant silver coin set are Colonel William Light, The Gold Rush, Elizabeth McArthur and Charles Todd. The set, released
in 1995 is one from the Masterpieces in Silver collection and is named 'Colonial Australia.'
The reverse of the coin, designed by Wojciech Pietranik bears the
image of one of the original coaches used by Cobb & Co with a number of passengers sat in the back. The
legend
on this side of the coin reads COBB & CO 1853. Also featured on the reverse
is the
legend
5 DOLLARS. The obverse features the traditional Maklouf portrait
of Queen Elizabeth II and is surrounded by the
legend
ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1995. This coin along with the remaining four to complete the set was originally packaged in a
simple black box stamped on the outside of the lid with the text 1995 MASTERPIECES IN SILVER and the inner side with ROYAL
AUSTRALIAN MINT. The original collection of which there was a limited
mintage
of 20,000 came with a certificate of authenticity.
Card Included in the 1995 Colonial Australia Collection
Cobbs & Co was a horse drawn coach company established in the 1850's and made use of all the way up until the 1920's.
In the early days they provided the best transport opportunities and created an invaluable method of connecting the colonies
which were spread out and often isolated around the somewhat harsh lad of Australia. The Cobb and Co coaches not only provided
a method of transport that made travel easier and accessible to more but also delivered mail, supplies and general news of
the larger and developing cities to the more isolated colonies. The service was particularly depended upon during periods
of time such as the gold rush, when hundreds if not thousands of people were arriving and needed to be taken to areas for
digging. Coaches would sit at certain locations and wait until they full before setting off for their destination. The roads
were poor and the coaches designed in England so were not particularly suited to the rough terrain. They may not have been
comfortable but they were necessary and provided an invaluable service to the colonies. With the development of the railway
and then even more so the introduction of the auto vehicles caused a huge dip in the demand for transport by coach and the
final demise of the business came in 1929. Australian still hold fond memories of Cobbs & Co and this
commemorative
coin is just one way in which the old fashioned style coaches and the important services provided by the company are
remembered.
(Australian Government, 2013)
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