This five Dollar Hologram Silver
proof
coin was issued as a
commemorative
piece in order to celebrate the Australian Outback. It was released in 2002 and is known as the Finale coin after a year of
commemorative
coins issued by the Royal Australian Mint each paying tribute to the Australian outback and the influence it has on shaping
and defining Australia as a nation. The coin was Australia's second hologram coin in a series of three, which included what
is thought to be the world first double-image hologram coin.
(Royal Australian Mint, 2001)
The Finale Series consisted of three coins, with the additional two released in 2001 and 2003 to complete years celebrating
the Centenary of the Federation of Australia and Australia's Volunteers - Making a difference. All three of the coins featured
a hologram image, which got progressively more impressive as the technology improved over the three years.
The reverse of the coin was designed by Wojciech Pietranik and features
the hologram image in a semi circle that makes up the top half of the coin. It bears the image of The Olgas and as the coin
is tilted the sun appears to rise and set over the iconic landscape of the outback with the changing vibrant colours depicting
the sunlight at different times of day. It is the image of the outback that has been used as the central piece throughout
the Year of the Outback commemorative coin series. Beneath the Olgas is the
legend
YEAR OF THE OUTBACK. The obverse bears the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait
of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth with the surrounding
legend
ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2002 5 DOLLARS. The coin was issued in a plush purple presentation case and an outer box that
also included a booklet of information regarding the Australian Outback and a Certificate of Authenticity. The outer box
has the writing Year of the Outback Finale Coin 2002. This coin had a limited
mintage
of just 15,000 and was highly sought after as soon as it was released.
The term outback is used to describe the remote and vast amounts of arid land that covers large parts of the continent
of Australia. The terrain is hostile and tough and due to the poor soil and sporadic rainfall inhabitants of the outback
are few and far between. The land in this part of the country is useful mainly for mining industries as well as some tourism
and agriculture.
(Wikipedia, 2013)
The outback has become representative of Australia and the vibrancy and spirituality that it offers contributes to the
Australian ethos. Exploration of the outback back during the times of the first European settlers was tough but necessary.
The land needed to be mapped out in order to create routes inland between colonies and to set up transport networks. The
Year of the Outback series honours the contribution the outback has provided to Australia national identity as well as those
people who have persevered through harsh environments for the good of the nation. In more ways than one, for many the outback
is the heart of Australia.
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