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Australia South Australia

2001  Fifty Cent reverse 2001  Fifty Cent obverse

2001 Fifty Cent

Mintage:2,417,042
Reverse Designer:Vladimir Gottwald Obverse Designer:Ian Rank-Broadley Size:32mm Weight:15.55g Edge:Plain Composition:75% Copper
25% Nickel

Values

Sales History

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This fifty cent coin was issued in 2001 both for general circulation and as part of the program produced by the Royal Australian Mint in celebration of the Centenary of Federation. It was struck as both a proof and uncirculated coin and was included within two sets that were issued throughout the year. The first was a three coin set, paying tribute to 100 years since the self-governed colony of South Australia joined the Federation in 1901. There were nine similar sets released at stages throughout 2001, each one honouring a different Sate or Territory of the Federation.

Each set included the one Dollar coin bearing the logo of the Centenary of Federation, a twenty cent coin featuring the winning design by a school child and a fifty cent coin such as this one bearing the Coat of Arms of the celebrated State or Territory. The outer packaging for this set is deep blue, the secondary state colours, featuring an outline of the Coat of Arms of South Australia and including text, which reads SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2001 and STATE PROOF COIN SET or STATE UNCIRCULATED COIN SET accordingly.

The second set that includes this fifty cent piece is a 20 coin collection again issued for the Centenary of Federation and also issued by the RAM in 2001. The collection includes all 9 of the fifty cents coins bearing the Coat of Arms of each State and Territory of the Federation and all 9 of the 20 cent coins designed by school children to celebrate their State or Territory. The other two coins included to complete the set of 20 are the one Dollar Centenary of Federation bearing the logo and the fifty Cent Centenary of Federation bearing the Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia. A metallic-like fabric presentation case large enough to house all 20 coins was issued along with the proof coin set whilst the uncirculated coins were presented in an album on sealed information sheets. Text features on both styles of packaging included Centenary of Federations and States and Territories 20 Coin collection. (Royal Australian Mint, 2001)

The reverse of this coin was designed by Vladimir Gottwald and features in the centre the Coat of Arms of South Australia. Below this is the legend SOUTH AUSTRALIA and to either side are the two significant dates 1901 and 2001. Curved around the top edge is the legend CENTENARY OF FEDERATION and at the bottom is the denomination FIFTY CENTS. The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the legend surrounding this reads ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001.

Before the continent that we know today as the Commonwealth of Australia formed to become one nation, it was six individual self-governing British colonies. These were the states of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia which were joined by the Northern and Capital Territories and later Norfolk Island. (Wikipedia, 2013) On the 1st January 1901 Sir Edmond Barton was signed in as the interim Prime Minister of Australia and collectively the colonies became the States of the Commonwealth of Australia.

The first coat of arms of South Australia was granted by King Edward VIII in 1936.The design was very simple and was replaced by the current one in 1984 when it was granted by Queen Elizabeth II. (Department of Foreign Afairs and Trade, 2013) It features the state badge on the shield (a magpie and a gum tree in front of the golden circle of the sun) and the states floral emblem of Sturt's desert pea. SOUTH AUSTRALIA is written on top of a bed of grains, fruits and tools which represent the states important and economical agriculture, mining and manufacturing industries.

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