Fifty Cents 2019 (Fifth Portrait), Coin from Australia - detailed information

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 2019 have now been in circulation for less than one year.

Crowned old bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait"), and a necklace. Around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the date: ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2019. Unlike on British coinage, the effigy includes the Queen's shoulders and extends almost to the rim of the coin; consequently, the legend does not run continuously around it.

The artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark) are incuse in tiny letters in the left field of the effigy (on the Queen's right shoulder, near the rim).

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.

These are the first Australian 50 cent coins featuring the Queen's Fourth Portrait.

On 2 March 2015 the Royal Mint revealed a new effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, which went into production in the United Kingdom that very day. The new portrait was designed by Jody Clark, the first Royal Mint engraver to be chosen to create a definitive royal coinage portrait in over 100 years.

At that time, the Royal Australian Mint decided to continue with the Fourth Portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley. This was changed halfway through 2019; consequently, in 2019 some 50 cent coins were issued with the Fourth Portrait and some with the Fifth Portrait.