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Australia Victoria

2001 Fifty Cent

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This fifty cent coin was issued in 2001 both for general circulation and as part of the program produced by the Royal Australian Mint in celebration of the Centenary of Federation. It was struck as both a proof and uncirculated coin and was included within two sets that were issued throughout the year. The first was a three coin set, paying tribute to 100 years since the self-governed colony of Victoria joined the Federation in 1901. There were nine similar sets released at stages throughout 2001, each one honouring a different Sate or Territory of the Federation.

Each set included the one Dollar coin bearing the logo of the Centenary of Federation, a twenty cent coin featuring the winning design by a school child and a fifty cent coin such as this one bearing the Coat of Arms of the celebrated State or Territory. The outer packaging for this set is navy blue, the state colours, featuring an outline of the Coat of Arms of Victoria and including text, which reads VICTORIA 2001 and STATE PROOF COIN SET or STATE UNCIRCULATED COIN SET accordingly.

The second set that includes this fifty cent piece is a 20 coin collection again issued for the Centenary of Federation and also issued by the RAM in 2001. The collection includes all 9 of the fifty cents coins bearing the Coat of Arms of each State and Territory of the Federation and all 9 of the 20 cent coins designed by school children to celebrate their State or Territory. The other two coins included to complete the set of 20 are the one Dollar Centenary of Federation bearing the logo and the fifty Cent Centenary of Federation bearing the Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia. A metallic-like fabric presentation case large enough to house all 20 coins was issued along with the proof coin set whilst the uncirculated coins were presented in an album on sealed information sheets. Text features on both styles of packaging included Centenary of Federations and States and Territories 20 Coin collection. (Royal Australian Mint, 2001)

The reverse of this coin was designed by Vladimir Gottwald and features in the centre the Coat of Arms of Victoria. Below this is the legend VICTORIA and to either side are the two significant dates 1901 and 2001. Curved around the top edge is the legend CENTENARY OF FEDERATION and at the bottom is the denomination FIFTY CENTS. The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the legend surrounding this reads ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001.

Before the continent that we know today as the Commonwealth of Australia formed to become one nation, it was six individual self-governing British colonies. These were the states of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia which were joined by the Northern and Capital Territories and later Norfolk Island. (Wikipedia, 2013) On the 1st January 1901 Sir Edmond Barton was signed in as the interim Prime Minister of Australia and collectively the colonies became the States of the Commonwealth of Australia.

The State of Victoria was granted arms in 1910 by King George V. On achieving arms it was decided that the design should incorporate the elements that were included in the state badge should be brought forward to the state of arms. This included the Southern Cross and the crown. The states motto, Peace and Prosperity appears as does a kangaroo and the state colours of silver and blue. (About Victoria, 2013)