Settings Subscribe  

NumisTip

Australia HMAS Sydney III

2011 Proof Two Dollar

Values

Sales History

Current listings

?

This sterling silver two dollar coin about the HMAS Sydney III, was produced in commemoration of 100 years of the Royal Australian Navy. It is part of a set of six coins that also includes HMAS AE2 Submarine, HMAS Yarra III, HMAS Australia II, HMAS Hobart II and HMAS Armidale II. The reverse was designed in-house at the Royal Australian Mint and features the submarine portrayed over a map of the globe showing Southern Asia and Australia. It includes the legend 100 YEARS OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY H.M.A.S. SYDNEY III 1911 2011 2 DOLLARS. The obverse shows an Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, right-facing with tiara and earrings. The legend ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2011 encircles the image. The set comes in a black presentation box with a velvet lining and includes a booklet detailing the vessels along with a numbered authentication certificate. The mintage was just 5,000 for this set.

HMAS Sydney III was the first aircraft carrier commissioned to the Royal Australian Navy. She was a Majestic Class and built at HM Dockyard, Devonport, England. Launched at the end of September 1944 she was commissioned to the RAN by the Commonwealth Government in 1948. She had a squadron of Hawker Sea Furies and a squadron of Fairey Fireflies on board. Initially, HMAS Sydney III did training exercises in local waters. But then relieved HMS Glory in Korea. She broke the record for number of sorties in a day as ittotalled89 (Royal Australian Navy, 2013) . She was commended for her great service in Korea. The ship was converted to a troop carrier in March 1962 and then used in Vietnam. She made so many trips to Vietnam she earned the nickname 'Vung Tau Ferry'. Her other battle honours include Malaysia 1964-66 and Vietnam 1965-72. HMAS Sydney III was decommissioned on the 12th November 1973.