Fifty Cents 2023 Emperor Penguin, Coin from Australia - detailed information

Fifty Cents 2023 Emperor Penguin, Coin from Australia
CoinFifty Cents 2023 Emperor Penguin

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 coin is part of the Australian Antarctic Territory Series, and features the Humpback Whale.

The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is a part of East Antarctica claimed by Australia as an external territory. The territory's history dates to a claim on Enderby Land made by the United Kingdom in 1841, which was subsequently expanded and eventually transferred to Australia in 1933. It is the largest territory of Antarctica claimed by any nation by area.

Named in honour of naturalist Johann Forster, who travelled with Captain James Cook on his second voyage of discovery (1772 - 1775), the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is the largest of all penguins, growing to around a metre tall. Emperors are endemic to Antarctica, including the Australian Antarctic Territory. They are well adapted to the frigid southern continent and alone among penguins, are capable of breeding during the icy winter.

Once regarded as a species of least concern, Emperor Penguins are now classed as near threatened, due to reduction of their food source from commercial fishing and climate change induced loss of sea ice.

MintRoyal Australian Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage25,000
Obverse
Australia / Fifty Cents 2023 Emperor Penguin - obverse photo

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The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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 1952 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA 2023 · 50 CENTS ·.

The legend is interrupted by the "memorial" inclusion of the dates of the Queen's reign, 1952 - 2022.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH II 1952 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA 2023 · 50 CENTS ·
Reverse
Australia / Fifty Cents 2023 Emperor Penguin - reverse photo

The reverse design is coloured and depicts in the foreground a family of two adult Emperor penguins and their chick standing on ice near the water, with more penguins in the background.

Around above, the inscription EMPEROR PENGUIN.

Near the rim below, the initials of the designer: AWB (for Adam William Ball).

The face value and year of issue are on the obverse.

Reverse Inscription EMPEROR PENGUIN
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated.
Packaging: in blister card.
RAM Product Code: 11167.
Date of issue: 6 April 2023.
Issue price: AU$ 15.00.

The coins were issued during the reign of King Charles III; however, as his effigy was not expected to be approved for use in Australia until late in the year, they feature a "memorial" obverse with the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the dates of her reign, 1952 - 2022.

See also

Coins in the Australian Antarctic Territory Series include:
- 1 oz Gold Bullion ($100), Emperor Penguin, 2023
- 1 oz Silver Bullion ($1), Emperor Penguin, 2023
- 1 oz Silver Coloured Proof ($5), Emperor Penguin, 2023
- 50 Cents, Copper-Nickel, Emperor Penguin, 2023
- 50 Cents, Copper-Nickel, Humpback Whale, 2023

All (46) coins of type: Fifty Cents, NCLT
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Fifty Cents 1998 (Silver, Crown) 15,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1998 · FIFTY CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 1999 (Silver, Sixpence) 15,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1999 · FIFTY CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2000 (Silver, King George VI) 10,412 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2000 · FIFTY CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2002 Accession Golden Jubilee (NCLT) 32,102 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2002
Fifty Cents 2003 Coronation Golden Jubilee (NCLT) 65,003 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2003
Fifty Cents 2006 (Silver, Second Portrait) 5,829 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2006
Fifty Cents 2010 (Gold, Gottwald Portrait) 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Portrait by Gottwald ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2010
Fifty Cents 2016 Round 21,966 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2016
Fifty Cents 2017 Year of the Rooster unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2017
Fifty Cents 2018 Possum Magic unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2018
Fifty Cents 2018 AC/DC unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2018
Fifty Cents 2019 Possum Magic unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2019
Fifty Cents 2019 (Second Portrait) 20,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2019
Fifty Cents 2019 (Third Portrait) 20,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2019
Fifty Cents 2019, Gottwald Portrait 20,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Portrait by Gottwald ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2019
Fifty Cents 2019 Christmas Decoration unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2019
Fifty Cents 2020 Year of the Rat unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2020
Fifty Cents 2020 Possum Magic unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2020
Fifty Cents 2020 Afghan Cameleers unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2020
Fifty Cents 2020 Indian Pacific unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2020
Fifty Cents 2020 Christmas Decoration unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2020 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2021 Year of the Ox unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2021
Fifty Cents 2021 Battle of Long Khanh 27,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2021
Fifty Cents 2021 Battle of Nui Le 34,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2021
Fifty Cents 2021 Christmas Decoration unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2021
Fifty Cents 2022 Year of the Tiger unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022
Fifty Cents 2022 Kangaroo and Emu Toys unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022
Fifty Cents 2022 Platinum Jubilee 70,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2022 Tamworth Country Music Festival 30,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2022 Steam Power - Commonwealth Railways 20,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2022 Steam Power - NSW South Maitland Railways 20,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2022 Steam Power - Queensland Rail 20,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2022 Steam Power - SA Railways 20,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2022 Steam Power - Tasmania 20,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2022 Steam Power - Victorian Railways 20,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2022 Steam Power - WA Railways 20,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2022 Henry Lawson - The Drover's Wife 40,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022
Fifty Cents 2022 Henry Lawson - The Loaded Dog 40,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022
Fifty Cents 2022 Henry Lawson - On the Edge of a Plain 40,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022
Fifty Cents 2022 Commonwealth Games 20,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2022 Australian Signals Directorate 50,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2022 Christmas Decoration - Christmas Beetles unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2022 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2023 Year of the Rabbit unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2023
Fifty Cents 2023 Kangaroo and Emu Toys unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2023
Fifty Cents 2023 Emperor Penguin 25,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II 1952 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA 2023 · 50 CENTS ·
Fifty Cents 2023 Humpback Whale 25,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II 1952 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA 2023 · 50 CENTS ·
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Fifty Cents 2023 Emperor Penguin: Details
CountryAustralia
CurrencyAustralian Dollar
Coin TypeFifty Cents, NCLT
Issued2023
MonarchKing Charles III
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - Portrait by Jody Clark (Uncouped version)
Face Value50 (x Cent)
Total Mintage25,000
CurrentYes
MaterialCuproNickel
DesignerAdam Ball
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeDodecagon - twelve sides
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size31.510 mm
Mass15.550 g
OCC IDWMRA-EQPC-NDZK-OYPL
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Fifty Cents 2023 Emperor Penguin: Photos
ImageDetails
Emperor Penguin - Australian Antarctic Territory Series
Copyright: Royal Australian Mint
Source