One Dollar 2023 Creatures of the Deep, 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The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA 2023 · 1 DOLLAR ·.

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

The reverse of the coin shows the CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator and its deep tow camera shining a light on some deep sea creatures: brittle star (Ophiuroidea), gold coral (Chrysogorgia), and spiny king crab (Neolithodes flindersi).

Below the waves, the inscription CREATURES OF THE DEEP.

In the centre, the C (for Canberra) mint mark of the Royal Australian Mint. Near the rim below right, the initials of the designer: SMS, for Stevan Michael Stojanovic.

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

Date of issue: 2 February 2023.

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.

There is also a gold tenth-ounce coin with the same design.