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
external Australian territory of Norfolk Island joined the Federation in 1901. There were nine similar sets released at stages
throughout 2001, each one honouring a different State 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 green, the islands State colour, featuring an outline of the Coat of Arms of Norfolk Island and including text, which
reads Norfolk Island 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 the Norfolk Island. Below this is the
legend
NORFOLK ISLAND 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 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 Coat of Arms of the island and external Australian Territory
and Norfolk Island was adopted in 1980. The islands motto of Inasmuch is displayed as part of their Coat of Arms.
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