This
commemorative
one dollar coin is one piece from the 2001 issue of the Royal Australian Mint's six coin year sets. This particular set
was entitled Centenary of Federation and as the name suggests the series pays tribute to 100 years since the individual colonies
of Australia came together to form the federation and to become known collectively as the States of the Common Wealth of
Australia. 2001 saw a number of series and sets issued by the RAM specially to commemorate the historic event. This one Dollar
coin is joined in this particular set by an additional five coins each of different denominations with the 1 dollar and 50
cent coins featuring special design representing the Federation. The denominations of the coins to complete the set are 5c,
10c, 20c, 50c and $2. There was also a Finale Hologram coin that was released separately at the end of the same year. As
well as being produced for general circulation and included in the set mentioned above and pictured below, this one dollar
coin was also produced as a coloured proof and as an uncirculated coin to be included in two more sets issued for the Centenary
of the Federation.
These sets were the three coin sets that celebrate each State and Territory of the Federation as well as a special 20
coin collection again celebrating the States and Territories. The reverse
of this coin was designed by Wojciech Pietranik. In the centre is the logo of the Federation of Australia and either side
are the two significant years 1901 and 2001. Surrounding the logo and hugging the edge of the coin at the top of the legend
CENTENARY OF FEDERATION and below is the denomination ONE DOLLAR. The obverse
of the coin bears Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and surrounding this is the
legend
ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001. The six coins that make up the year set were presented in a sealed blue and orange cardboard
wallet and includes a descriptive card pertaining to the set. Writing on the outer box includes CENTENARY of FEDERATION 2001
and Six Coin Proof Set or Uncirculated Six Coin Set accordingly. The outer packaging is beautifully designed with a black
and white photograph of the Rotunda and a colourful combination of the badges of each of the states and territories over
lapping a map of Australia to creatively form the shape of a bird.
Before the continent that we know today as the Commonwealth of Australia formed to become one nation, it was six individual
British colonies. Each of them were self-governing and although they all derived from British settlements, they considered
themselves to be individual colonies. These were the states of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria
and Western Australia. During the mid-late 19th century the idea of a Federation to unify the colonies was considered but
it was until 1900 that the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act was passed and given Royal Assent by Queen Victoria.
(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.
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