This is the fourth silver
proof
coin from a
commemorative
set called the Australian Landmark series and it celebrates the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The series was released in
three stages with 6 coins altogether released in pairs according to three themes between the years of 1997-1999. The three
themes were Sydney, Melbourne and the Snowy Mountains. This particular coin is of course taken from the Melbourne theme issued
in 1998, in which it was paired with a coin commemorating Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Sydney pair, released in 1997 commemorates
Sydney Opera House and The Sydney Harbour Bridge. Finally the Snowy Mountain themed pair was issued in 1999 and commemorates
the Snowy Mountains Dam and the Snowy Mountains Tunnel. All six of the coins were stuck into sterling silver and feature
quality design and workmanship from the Royal Australian Mint.
The reverse of this silver coin was designed by Wojciech Pietranik
and features the Melbourne Tram. The
legend
above reads MELBOURNE and the one below is the denomination 10 DOLLARS. The
obverse features the traditional portrait of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth as designed by Ian Rank-Braodley and the
legend
ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1998. The original packaging for this coin and its pair was an oblong box with a photograph featuring
both the view over Melbourne City. COINS OF THE VICTORIAN CAPITAL is written above and MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA 1998 below. A
tin box is included inside in which the two coins are presented and accompanied with a small booklet.
1998 Australian Landmarks
The Melbourne tram network is the largest of its kind in the world. The first tram line opened in 1884 and consisted of
horse drawn tramlines. In 1906 the first electric systems were used and have been used ever since. Today there is more than
250 km of track with 487 trams that stop at 1,763 tram stops.
(Wikipedia, 2013)
It is an extremely popular method of travel around the Victorian Capital amongst locals and tourists alike. When it comes
to public transport, only the commuter railway network see's more passengers than the Melbourne tram. In 2011-2012 191.6
million passenger trips were made and this figure continues to rise on a yearly basis. It is a characteristic part of Melbourne
lifestyle and has become somewhat of a tourist attraction in itself. The tram has been incorporated into a number of national
events including the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and was also used by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of
Edinburgh on a 2011 visit to the city.
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