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Australia Ashes

2007 Proof Five Dollar

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This beautiful five dollar silver proof coin was issued in celebration of the cricket test match series between England and Australia, known as the Ashes. The series has been called the Ashes since 1882 and the origin of the name has an interesting story. The series received huge support and great numbers of spectators regardless of whether it is being played in England or Australia. Some great records have been made during the ashes including the most runs at 5,028 by Donald Bradman and the most wickets at 195 by Shane Warne.

The match was first played in 1877 and over time a great rivalry has developed, which is watched and celebrated all over the world. The series which consists of 5 Test matches is played alternately in Australia and England. the Ashes series is always greatly anticipated and has become a popular and loved tradition in both countries. The name the Ashes was first associated with the Test series back in 1882, after a series played in England at The Oval. Australia won for the first time in an English ground and the result shocked and surprised both teams. The crowd fell into silence on the conclusion of the match before flooding the field in celebration. (Wikipedia, 2013) As a result of the match an article was published in the British Newspaper 'The Times' in the style of an obituary. It suggested that English cricket had died and a quote from the satirical obituary reads "The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia."

When England returned to Australia during the following tour it became a quest to regain the ashes. Despite the term being widely recognised and understood both in England and Australia, it didn't really take off as the official name of the series until the early 1900's when George Giffen used the term in his memoirs and Pelham Warner captained a team that were once again promising to regain the ashes. Although there isn't an official trophy for the series, players often lift an urn in celebration of their win. This urn is a replica of one that was given during that 1883 tour of Australia when England were on their mission to regain the ashes after their initial defeat. The urn was jovially given by a group of Melbourne women to the England captain at the time Ivo Bligh. On his death, Bligh's wife presented the Urn to the Marylebone Cricket Club Museum, where it remains today. The contents of the urn ore thought to be a cricket bail.

This coin is one of three, that were released in 2007 by the Royal Australian Mint paying tribute to the Ashes series. They each make fantastic collectors items and the other two are a one Dollar uncirculated coin and ten dollar gold proof coin. The reverse of this silver commemorative Ashes coin was designed by Vladimi Gottwald. The central image is the famous Ashes urn being supported by the English lion and the Australian Kangaroo in the style of a Coat of Arms. Beneath the trophy is two cricket bats forming a cross. Surrounding this image, curving around the bottom edge of the coin is the legend 1882-2007 ASHES. The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the surrounding legend ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2007 5 DOLLARS.

This coin was issued in a beautiful presentation case with a green inner velvet cushion and a red outer case. There is white stitching going through the centre of the red case in the style of a cricket ball. A booklet containing information about both the coin and the Ashes was issued as well. Writing on the packaging includes 1882-2007 THE ASHES. At the bottom it says FIVE DOLLAR PROOF COIN. It also has the logo of Cricket Australia, by whom this product was supported.