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Australia New South Wales

2001 Proof Fifty Cent reverse 2001 Proof Fifty Cent obverse

2001 Proof Fifty Cent

Mintage:22,923
Reverse Designer:Vladimir Gottwald Obverse Designer:Ian Rank-Broadley Size:31.5mm 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 New South Wales joined the Federation in 1901. There were nine similar sets released 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 bearing the Coat of Arms of the celebrated State or Territory.

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 New South Wales. Below this is the legend "NEW SOUTH WALES" 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 on as the interim Prime Minister of Australia and collectively the colonies became the States of the Commonwealth of Australia. In 1906 King Edward VII granted the official Coat of Arms of the State of New South Wales as featured on this coin. (Wikipedia, 2013) The blue shield contains the state badge (a red cross with a golden star at the end of each arm and a lion in the centre.) Also within the shield are two images of a golden fleece and a wheat sheaf. The supporters are a golden lion and a golden kangaroo whilst the crest is a rising sun.

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