This Ten Dollar Silver
proof
coin is one piece from a set of four that makes up the 2003 Masterpieces in Silver series. The set is called the The
Port Phillip Patterns. This coin has a denomination of Ten Dollars whilst those accompanying the coin to complete the set
include a one Dollar Coin, a two Dollar coin and a five Dollar coin. The complete set was launched in July 2003 by the Royal
Australian Mint and was instantly a popular purchase amongst collectors. There was a limited mintage of just 10,000 and due
to the fascinating story of the Port Phillip Patterns and the historical importance to Australia's numismatic history, it
is a highly sought after series.
Each of the coins were struck into a sterling silver planchet
.The reverse of the coin was designed by Wojciech Pietranik and along
with the additional three coins of the series features the Port Phillips Kangaroo patterns. Unlike the other coins, which
have space outside of the pattern for their denominations, on this ten Dollar coin, the original pattern fills the entire
reverse. It features a Kangaroo with the
legend
1853 in a central circle. Surrounding this is large and prominent letters is the legend PORT PHILLIP AUSTRALIA. The obverse of the coin features the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II. The
legend
surrounding this reads ELIZABETH 11 AUSTRALIA 2003 TEN DOLLARS. The entire series was issued with a long presentation
case in which the coins were displayed largest to smallest from left to right. Included in the set was a booklet that tells
the story of the Port Phillip Patterns. The outer packaging was stylishly designed with an image of Port Phillip and the
title Master Pieces in Silver 2003 Port Phillip Patterns.
The story of the Port Phillips Patterns also known as the Kangaroo Office Patterns is an interesting and somewhat mysterious
one. It was Australia's first attempt at coin production and is therefore of significant importance to the numismatic history
of the country. In the end it became a failed business venture set up as an attempt to profit from the gold mining that was
happening around Victoria.
(Royal Australian Mint, 2003)
The Kangaroo Office was located in Melbourne and produced patterns that included the one featured on the coins in this
series. In 1854 when the business turned out to be unprofitable, it was closed and the press sold to Thomas Stokes. Although
the dies were thought to have been disposed of, they were discovered by Stokes in 1917.
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