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 Both coins were withdrawn from circulation commencing in February 1992.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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Coin Type: Two Cents - (29) Coins
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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CurrentYes; withdrawn 1992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