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Australia Cocos Keeling Islands

2005-P Proof Silver One Dollar

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This Cocos (Keeling) Islands piece was released by the Perth Mint in 2005. The coin was issued to commemorate fifty years since the Cocos (Keeling) Islands became an Australian Territory in 1955. The reverse features a depiction of the Red-footed Booby with a beach background and the legend 'COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS - Australian Territory - 50TH ANNIVERSARY.' The obverse houses the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II with the legend 'ELIZABETH II - AUSTRALIA 2005 - 1 DOLLAR.'

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are located in the Indian Ocean and have a population of approximately 600 people. The small territory consists of 27 islands of which only two are inhabited. The occupants generally speak Malay as their first language. The Islands were annexed by the British Empire in 1857 and a telegraph cable station was established connecting modern Western Australia, Indonesia, and Mauritius. (Cocos Keeling Islands, 2017) During the First World War the Australian Navy engaged with the German Navy who had intended to disrupt Allied communications in the region. The Australian HMAS Sydney successfully defeated the German SMS Emden. (Australian National Maritime Museum, 2017) Prior to 1955 the Islands were officially part of the United Kingdom's Colony of Singapore but on the 23rd of November they were transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia. Today the Islands are administrated from Canberra with two federal police located on the Island. A local council also provides for a level of autonomy.