Fifty Cents 1978, Coin from Australia - detailed information

Fifty Cents 1978, Coin from Australia
CoinFifty Cents 1978

The Australian 50 cent denomination was first introduced as a silver coin with decimalisation on 14 February 1966, but was changed in 1969 to its current specifications: a large dodecagonal (12-sided) copper-nickel coin; apart from the usual design featuring the Australian Coat of Arms, the denomination is also extensively used to issue circulating commemorative coins with various reverses.

It is one of the heaviest coins in regular circulation in the world.

Coins issued in 1978 have now been in circulation for 46 years.

MintRoyal Australian Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 25,804,000 (25.8 million) , Rarity: C (Common)
Obverse
Australia / Fifty Cents 1978 - obverse photo

Crowned and draped young bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (effigy known as the "Second Portrait", by Arnold Machin).

The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Rank-Broadley and the Gottwald portraits.

Around, the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1978.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1978
Reverse
Australia / Fifty Cents 1978 - reverse photo

The reverse of the coin depicts the Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, based on those authorised by Royal Warrant 19 September 1912 - composed of a shield divided into six parts, each containing a representation of the badge of a State. The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu.

The shield sits on the denomination numerals, 50 [cents]; above the shield is the Federation star. The entire design is set above a field of stylized wattle leaves.

The artist's initials SD (for Stuart Devlin) in (very) tiny letters are in the field below the numerals.

Reverse Inscription 50
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Fifty Cents 1978: Known varieties
Variety In mint sets
Mintage Issued: unknown
In Set 1978 Uncirculated Set, mintage unknown
6 coins: 50 Cents, 20 Cents, 10 Cents, 5 Cents, 2 Cents, 1 Cent
Variety Proof FDC
Mintage Issued: 39,000 (included in total)
In Set 1978 Proof Set, mintage 39,000
6 coins: 50 Cents, 20 Cents, 10 Cents, 5 Cents, 2 Cents, 1 Cent
Fifty Cents 1978: References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Royal Australian Mint 2016 Mint link
Royal Australian Mint 2016 Mintage link
Krause, Standard Catalog of World Coins Mintage Circulation and proof mintage
Krause, Standard Catalog of World Coins Varieties Proof
All (82) coins of type: Fifty Cents
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Fifty Cents 1966 (round, silver) 36,454,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1966
Fifty Cents 1969 14,028,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1969
Fifty Cents 1970 James Cook 16,555,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1970
Fifty Cents 1971 21,066,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1971
Fifty Cents 1972 5,596,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1972
Fifty Cents 1973 4,019,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1973
Fifty Cents 1974 8,973,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1974
Fifty Cents 1975 19,048,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1975
Fifty Cents 1976 27,301,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1976
Fifty Cents 1977 Coat of Arms unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1977
Fifty Cents 1977 Silver Jubilee 25,131,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1977
Fifty Cents 1978 25,804,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1978
Fifty Cents 1978 Fiji Mule unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1978
Fifty Cents 1979 24,922,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1979
Fifty Cents 1980 38,749,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1980
Fifty Cents 1981 24,254,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1981
Fifty Cents 1981 Royal Wedding 20,000,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1981
Fifty Cents 1982 XII Commonwealth Games 49,600,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1982
Fifty Cents 1983 49,003,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1983
Fifty Cents 1984 26,342,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1984
Fifty Cents 1985 1,075,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1985
Fifty Cents 1986 (mint sets only) 247,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1986
Fifty Cents 1987 (mint sets only) 270,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1987
Fifty Cents 1988 Coat of Arms unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1988
Fifty Cents 1988 Bicentenary 8,206,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1988
Fifty Cents 1989 (mint sets only) unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1989
Fifty Cents 1990 (mint sets only) unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1990
Fifty Cents 1991 25th Anniversary of Decimal Currency 4,700,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1991
Fifty Cents 1992 (mint sets only) unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1992
Fifty Cents 1993 1,000,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1993
Fifty Cents 1994 International Year of the Family 21,239,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1994
Fifty Cents 1995 50th Anniversary of the End of WW2 15,908,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1995
Fifty Cents 1996 19,297,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1996
Fifty Cents 1997 4,340,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1997
Fifty Cents 1998 Bass and Flinders 22,422,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1998
Fifty Cents 1999 20,346,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1999
Fifty Cents 2000 Millennium 16,665,153 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2000
Fifty Cents 2000 Royal Visit 5,100,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Portrait by Gottwald ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2000
Fifty Cents 2001 Centenary of Federation - Australia 43,300,936 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001
Fifty Cents 2001 Centenary of Federation - Australian Capital Territory 2,085,539 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001
Fifty Cents 2001 Centenary of Federation - New South Wales 3,103,556 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001
Fifty Cents 2001 Centenary of Federation - Norfolk Island 2,230,114 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001
Fifty Cents 2001 Centenary of Federation - Northern Territory 2,143,029 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001
Fifty Cents 2001 Centenary of Federation - Queensland 2,403,190 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001
Fifty Cents 2001 Centenary of Federation - South Australia 2,464,886 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001
Fifty Cents 2001 Centenary of Federation - Tasmania 2,222,668 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001
Fifty Cents 2001 Centenary of Federation - Victoria 2,883,106 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001
Fifty Cents 2001 Centenary of Federation - Western Australia 2,400,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001
Fifty Cents 2002 Year of the Outback 11,665,062 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2002
Fifty Cents 2003 Volunteers 13,927,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2003
Fifty Cents 2004 17,918,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2004
Fifty Cents 2004 Primary School design 10,200,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2004
Fifty Cents 2005 (PNC only) 30,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2005
Fifty Cents 2005 60th Anniversary of the End of WWII 26,600,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2005
Fifty Cents 2005 Commonwealth Games 20,500,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2005
Fifty Cents 2006 59,300,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2006
Fifty Cents 2007 19,900,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2007
Fifty Cents 2008 33,000,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2008
Fifty Cents 2009 19,000,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2009
Fifty Cents 2010 22,200,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2010
Fifty Cents 2010 Australia Day 11,400,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2010
Fifty Cents 2011 14,400,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2011
Fifty Cents 2012 17,600,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2012
Fifty Cents 2013 18,800,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2013
Fifty Cents 2014 17,700,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2014
Fifty Cents 2014 AIATSIS 3,000,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2014
Fifty Cents 2015 19,400,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2015
Fifty Cents 2016 25,500,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2016
Fifty Cents 2016 Changeover 7,001,661 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2016 FIFTY YEARS
Fifty Cents 2017 8,200,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2017
Fifty Cents 2017 Mabo 1,400,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2017
Fifty Cents 2018 4,660,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2018
Fifty Cents 2019 (Fourth Portrait) 1,050,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2019
Fifty Cents 2019 Indigenous Languages 2,070,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2019
Fifty Cents 2019 (Fifth Portrait) 870,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2019
Fifty Cents 2020 720,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2020
Fifty Cents 2021 1,440,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2021
Fifty Cents 2022 unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022
Fifty Cents 2023 unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2023
Fifty Cents 2023 Memorial Obverse unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II 1952 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA 2023
Fifty Cents 2024 unknown King Charles III - Portrait by Dan Thorne CHARLES III · AUSTRALIA 2024
Fifty Cents 2024 NAIDOC unknown King Charles III - Portrait by Dan Thorne CHARLES III · AUSTRALIA 2024 · 50 CENTS ·
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Fifty Cents 1978: Details
CountryAustralia
CurrencyAustralian Dollar
Coin TypeFifty Cents Coat of Arms
Issued1978
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait, by Arnold Machin
ReverseCoat of Arms of Australia, 1912
Face Value50 (x Cent)
Total Mintage25,804,000 (25.8 million), Rarity: C (Common)
CurrentYes
MaterialCuproNickel
DesignerStuart Devlin
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeDodecagon - twelve sides
OrientationCoin Alignment (Axis 6)
Size31.6500 mm
Mass15.5500 g
OCC IDZQRA-PEBN-CXBE-YJDX
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Fifty Cents 1978: Photos
ImageDetails
Fifty Cents 1978: Photo Australia, Elizabeth II, 50 Cents, 1978 / thumbnail Australia, Elizabeth II, 50 Cents, 1978
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Fifty Cents 1978: Photo Australia, Elizabeth II, 50 Cents, 1978 / thumbnail Australia, Elizabeth II, 50 Cents, 1978
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Fifty Cents 1978: Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsAustralia KM# 68