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.
Apart from circulating coins, the Royal Australian Mint has a range of Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) 50 cent coins issued for collectors, such as this one.
The coin celebrates 50 years of the Indian Pacific rail service.
On 23 February 1970, the first Indian Pacific service left Sydney, becoming the first direct train to cross the Australian continent. This service was made possible when the east-west standard gauge project was completed several months earlier, allowing a single journey from the east to west Australia and back. The Indian Pacific, named for the two oceans that the train reaches on its journey, travels from Sydney across the Nullarbor to Perth, taking in Broken Hill, Adelaide and Kalgoorlie. The entire journey of 4,352 km takes four days. The journey includes the longest straight stretch of railway track in the world: a 478 km stretch across the Nullarbor.
The Indian Pacific is considered one of the great railway journeys in the world. The wedge-tailed eagle logo of the Indian Pacific reflects the unique and ancient landscapes that are enjoyed by its passengers.
No coins of this type were released into circulation. | 
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