The Kruger Gray reverse design continued into this type, while after the coronation of Elizabeth II in late 1952, the
obverse design changed to the bust of Elizabeth II facing to the right
with the
legend
ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA ('Elizabeth II, by the grace of god, queen'), designed by Mary Gillick. This
legend
was only used in 1953 and 1954, then was altered due to public outcry of the omission of FIDEI DEF ('defender of the
faith'). Both years are easy to acquire with some mint rolls found of 1953
(Pacific Rim Coins, 2002)
, though they often have brown
toning
due to the paper used in rolling. The 1954 is much scarcer than most realise and is very difficult to source in mintstate grades. Both issues were struck from
the Melbourne Mint and no
mintmarks
were used.
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