This Five Dollar silver
proof
coin is the sixth and final that makes 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 made a significant contribution to the Federation
movement. The reverse of each of the coins bears up to three portraits
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 two women, each within their own individual circular frames. These women are
Lady Jeanne Barton and Dame Flora Reid. On the outside of the frames incorporated into the background design are the legends
F.REID and J.BARTON. 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 Australia 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. The two ladies to whom this coin pays tribute are the wives
of two of Australia's earliest Prime Ministers, Sir Edmund Barton and Sir George Reid. Flora Reid was appointed a Dame Grand
Cross for her work with soldiers injured during the war.
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