This Five Dollar silver
proof
coin is the fifth of six that make up the 2001 Masterpieces in Silver Set, commemorating the Federation. As 2001 marked
100 years since the joining together of the individual self-governing British colonies to form the federation of Australia,
the Royal Australian Mint celebrated with a number of specially designed coin collections and series to pay tribute to the
historical event. This particular series focuses on the men and women that paid a significant contribution to the movement
to Federation and therefore helped to shape the national constitution. The reverse
of each of the coins bears up to three portraits of some of the influential people stuck onto pure silver. The high quality
finish that is achieved on these
commemorative
silver coins makes them made them a popular addition to any sized collection. This series has a limited
mintage
of just 10,000. The Centenary of Federation issues from the RAM were finished off with a special Finale Hologram Coin.
The reverse of the coin was designed by Wojciech Pietranik and along
with five of the coins from the set features the portraits of important figures involved with the movement. Sitting on top
of a stylised background are the portraits of three men each within their own individual rectangular frames. These men are
Sir George Reid, Sir John Quick and Sir John Forrest. Above and below the portraits are the their names REID FORREST and
QUICK. At the bottom of the coin is the denomination 5 DOLLARS. The obverse of the coin features the Ian-Rank Broadley portrait
of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and surrounding the iconic image of the monarch is the legend ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001
and the denomination 5 DOLLARS. The series was packaged in an attractive blue outer box with a metallic silver presentation
case, which housed all 6 coins. Also included was a Certificate of Authenticity and an interesting booklet containing information
pertaining to the Federation and each of the influential men and women, to whom this set pays tribute.
Before the continent that we know today as the Commonwealth of Australia formed to become one nation, it consisted of
individual self-governing British colonies. During the mid-late 19th century the idea of a Federation to unify the colonies
was considered but it wasn't 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. As with the majority of the men to whom this series pays tribute,
these three influential figures were heavily involved with the governing of their own colonies, supported the movement to
Federation and continued to play a role in the new Australian Federal Government. Sir George Reid was the first and only
Premier of New South Wales and he helped to ensure that the state joined the Federation. He went on to become the fourth
Prime Minister of Australia. Sir John Quick was knighted for his contribution to the forming of the Federation and namely
for proposing each of the colonies are represented at a formal convention and drafting a bill that formed the basis of the
constitution. Sir John Forrest was a well known early explorer of Western Australia before becoming involved with politics.
He became the first and only Premier of Western Australia during which he ensured positive development of the colony and
its joining of the Federation. He had many roles during his time in the Australian Government including for a while, acting
Prime Minister.
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