Two Cents, Coin Type from Australia - detailed information

Two Cents, Coin Type from Australia (issued 1966 - 1991)
Coin TypeTwo Cents

The 2 cent coin was first introduced with decimalisation on 14 February 1966. The original reverse design has not been changed since the introduction.

Two cent coins were produced by the Royal Australian Mint, the Royal Mint, Melbourne, the Royal Mint, Perth, the Perth Mint and the Royal Mint, Llantrisant. The 2 cent coin was the last circulating coin for Australia struck outside the Royal Australian Mint.

The cessation of issue of one and two cent coins was announced by the Treasurer in his Budget Speech of 21 August 1990. The decision was based on the loss of real purchasing power through inflation and the cost of minting of these coins. The accompanying Press Release noted that "... 1c and 2c coins will continue to be legal tender: they can still be used to purchase goods and can be deposited with financial institutions in the normal manner." Both coins were withdrawn from circulation commencing in February 1992.

Obverse
Australia / Two Cents - obverse photo

Effigy of the ruling monarch, legend, date. Throughout the existence of the coin type, the monarch was Queen Elizabeth II.

The inclusion of an effigy of the Queen on the obverse of Australia's coinage is mandated by Regulation 4 (c) of the Currency Regulations made under the Currency Act 1965. Portraits of Her Majesty have all faced to the right in line with a convention, said to have commenced with Charles II (1660-1685), that the new Monarch's portrait would face in a direction opposite to that of their predecessor.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA [year]
Reverse
Australia / Two Cents - reverse photo

The reverse features a frilled-neck lizard with neck frill extended and mouth open, designed and sculpted by Stuart Devlin.

The denomination numeral 2 [cents] is left of the lizard's head; below its body in (very) tiny letters, the designer's initials SD.

Reverse Inscription 2
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

If you keep your coins in 2x2 cardboard holders, the best size for one cent coins is 22.5mm.

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Royal Mint
Royal Mint
Coin Type: Two Cents - (29) Coins
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Two Cents 1966 429,664,404 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1966
Two Cents 1967 73,250,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1967
Two Cents 1968 16,995,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1968
Two Cents 1969 12,953,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1969
Two Cents 1970 39,887,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1970
Two Cents 1971 60,745,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1971
Two Cents 1972 77,580,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1972
Two Cents 1973 94,068,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1973
Two Cents 1974 177,734,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1974
Two Cents 1975 100,068,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1975
Two Cents 1976 121,903,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1976
Two Cents 1977 102,055,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1977
Two Cents 1978 128,739,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1978
Two Cents 1979 69,741,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1979
Two Cents 1980 145,671,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1980
Two Cents 1981 247,386,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1981
Two Cents 1982 121,870,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1982
Two Cents 1983 177,307,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1983
Two Cents 1984 58,024,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1984
Two Cents 1985 32,600,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1985
Two Cents 1986 (mint sets only) 247,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1986
Two Cents 1987 (mint sets only) 270,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1987
Two Cents 1988 29,011,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1988
Two Cents 1989 124,500,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1989
Two Cents 1990 (mint sets only) 156,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1990
Two Cents 1991 (mint sets only) 189,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1991
Two Cents 2006 (mint sets only) 84,407 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2006
Two Cents 2010 (Proof only) 400 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2010
Two Cents 2016 (mint sets only) 10,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2016
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Royal Mint
Royal Mint
Two Cents: Details
CountryAustralia
CurrencyAustralian Dollar
From1966
To1991
Face Value2 (x Cent)
CurrentYes; withdrawn 1992
MaterialBronze
DesignerStuart Devlin
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
Size21.5900 mm
Mass5.2000 g
Two Cents: Photos
ImageDetails
Two Cents: Photo Australia, Elizabeth II, 2 Cents, 1981 Australia, Elizabeth II, 2 Cents, 1981
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Two Cents: Photo Australia, Elizabeth II, 2 Cents, 1981 Australia, Elizabeth II, 2 Cents, 1981
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Two Cents: Photo Australia, Elizabeth II, 2 Cents, 1985 Australia, Elizabeth II, 2 Cents, 1985
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source