Fifty Cents 2024 Year of the Dragon, Coin from Australia - detailed information

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The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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 - 2002 · AUSTRALIA 2024 · 50 CENTS ·.

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

The reverse of the coin depicts a Chinese mythical dragon above sea waves.

On the left, the Chinese character for "dragon": 龍.

The designer's monogram EW (for Elyssa Waterford) is above right.

The rim is decorated with an Oriental geometric pattern.

Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated.
Packaging: in red display card.
RAM Product Code: 11357.
Release price: A$15.00.

The coin was issued during the reign of King Charles III; however, as his effigy was not approved for use in Australia when the issue was approved, it features a "memorial" obverse with the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the dates of her reign, 1952 - 2022.