| Coin | Fifty Cents 2022 Steam Power - SA Railways |
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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.
This coloured coin is part of a seven-coin series featuring steam train locomotives, and is dedicated to the South Australian Railways No. 504 "Tom Barr Smith".
The Mint says:
No.504 was commissioned in the 1920s as part of an ambitious plan to upgrade the South Australian Railways. Designed to tackle steep climbs with ease, it went on to haul the famous Overland train for decades.
No coins of this type were released into circulation. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin depicts the 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" worldwide but "Sixth Portrait" in Australia, where the Queen's portrait by Vladimir Gottwald was fifth).
The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen mother) in 1937.
Unlike on British coinage, the effigy is "uncouped" (includes the Queen's shoulders). In small letters on the left, the artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously around the rim is the monarch's legend, the date of issue and the face value: ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022 · 50 CENTS ·.
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| Reverse | |
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On a coloured background, the reverse of the coin shows a front view of a steam locomotive.
Below the exergue line, divided by the locomotive, the inscription SA No.504 TOM BARR SMITH.
On three lines at centre below, STEAM POWER AUSTRALIAN RAIL HERITAGE.
The designer's initials AS (for Aleksandra Stokic) are below right. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
SA No.504 TOM BARR SMITH STEAM POWER AUSTRALIAN RAIL HERITAGE |
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| Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated.
Packaging: in blister card.
RAM Product Code: 10768.
Date of issue: March 2022
Issue price: AU$ 15.00 |
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| See also |
Coins in the Steam Power series include:
- 50 Cents, Commonwealth Railways NM 25, 2022
- 50 Cents, NSW South Maitland Railways, 2022
- 50 Cents, Queensland Rail No.6, 2022
- 50 Cents, South Australian Railways No. 504 Tom Barr Smith, 2022
- 50 Cents, Tasmania Wee Georgie Wood, 2022
- 50 Cents, Victorian Railways R711, 2022
- 50 Cents, Western Australian Railways W 945 Banksiadale, 2022
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