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Australia 50 Years since Coronation

2003 Proof Fifty Cent reverse 2003 Proof Fifty Cent obverse

2003 Proof Fifty Cent

Mintage:6,967
Reverse Designer:Peter Soobik Obverse Designer:Ian Rank-Broadley Size:31.6mm Weight:18.24g Edge:Plain Composition:99.9% Silver

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The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was the first coronation to be televised and the first major international event that was shared and viewed around the world. The ceremony took place over a year after her accession to the throne in order to allow time for the mourning for the death of the Queens father King George VI. The coronation involved her taking an oath to declare that she would uphold the laws of her nations. She was crowned and therefore became Queen of The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylon and Pakistan and Head of The Commonwealth.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was born in 1926 and was named Elizabeth Alexandra Mary. She was born in London the eldest daughter of Prince Albert, Duke of York who would go on to become King George VI and his wife Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. The young Elizabeth was known by the immediate family as Lillibet and she had a younger sibling, Princess Margaret. (Wikipedia, 2013) At the time of her birth, Elizabeth was third in line to the Throne whilst her father Prince Albert was second behind his elder brother. When Elizabeth's grand-father, King George V died her Uncle Edward became King. Later that same year, 1936 and coming as quite a shock to the family, Edward abdicated the throne in order to marry an American divorcee leading Prince Albert to succeed as King George VI. Elizabeth became heiress presumptive and as the King didn't go on to have a son, she would go on to become the Queen of the United kingdom and the Commonwealth realms. During the Second World War both Elizabeth and her sister Margaret remained in the UK. They were educated at home and began to make public appearances from an early age.

Elizabeth met Prince Phillip of Greece and Denmark, her distant cousin a number of times throughout her childhood. In 1939 at the age of just 13 they began exchanging letters during which time she is said to have failed in love. There engagement was announced 8 years later in 1947. The engagement was met with some controversy as many did not think Price Phillip good enough and his foreign origin was opposed. He dropped his title and took his British mothers maiden name and the couple were married with two children by 1950. After the war the health of King George VI began to decline and Elizabeth was taking on more and more royal responsibilities. In 1952 she heard news of her father death whilst touring Kenya and returned home to be made Queen. The televised coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth is a popular Queen who has taken part in numerous historic meetings has witnessed major national and global events through her reign. She has had her own personal celebrations and sorrows relating to her family and celebrated her Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees.

This particular coin released in 2003 both individually and also as part of a two coin set was issued in commemoration of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The accompanying coin is a 100 dollar gold proof coin and the set is a progression from a similar two coin set that was issued in 2002 in commemoration of the Queens Accession to the throne. These coins were packaged in a plush red presentation case with also contained an information booklet and Certificate of Authenticity. As these coins complement the two coins of the Accession Set to complete the series commemorating the Golden Jubilee a large case capable of housing all four coins was also made available. The reverse of the coin was designed by Peter Soobik and has a someone modernistic style about it. Rather than a large image that consumes the majority of the space such as commemorative coins often feature there is instead a collection of meaningful symbols, logos and emblems. The coin is split into three equal vertical sections and in the pride of place in the centre is the EIIR latin abbreviation for Queen Elizabeth II. Above this is the royal crown and below is the number 50, representing the 50th Anniversary of her coronation. To the left is the Federation Star with the date 1953 struck below and to the right is the Australian wattle with the date 2003 struck below. The legend which curves around the left and right side of the coin reads "CORONATION ELIZABETH II.FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY". The obverse of the coin bears the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II as designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the legend which reads "ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2003".

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