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Australia Crossing the Blue Mountains

2013 Proof Ten Dollar

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In 2013 the Royal Australian Mint released this ten dollar coin to commemorate the bicentenary of the crossing of the Blue Mountains. The reverse was designed by T. Dean and shows the three explorers along with a map of their journey, the denomination "10 Dollars" and the legend "BICENTENARY OF THE CROSSING OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS." The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II with the legend "ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2013."

Lawson, Blaxland and Wentworth were three men from different backgrounds whom came together in New South Wales in 1813. Blaxland desired additional grazing land and decided to take on the challenge of crossing the Blue Mountains, which up until that point had not been successfully crossed by any European. He assembled an exploration team and determined that the easiest method to cross would be by following the ridges. The team made up of Lawson, Blaxland, Wentworth, one local guide, three convicts and four horses set out on the 11th May. They travelled slowly setting up camps and walking on a few miles at a time, setting a trail for themselves and then returning for the horses and supplies. After 21 days they had reached the height of Mount Blaxland and were able to return home fast and simply along the trail they had created which also paved the way for others. They each kept a journal of their exploration but due to the detailed writing and descriptions of the trails, Lawson's journal became the most significant.