| Coin | Silver Half Ounce 2015 War in the Pacific - Battle of the Coral Sea |
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The Australian half ounce silver piece (abbreviated as 1/2 oz and designated with Ag for "silver") is a bullion and commemorative coin format. Uniquely, in Australia there are two mints authorised to strike legal tender: the Royal Australian Mint (which also makes the country's circulating coinage) and the Perth Mint which only makes collector and bullion coins, as well as other bullion products.
Both mints endeavour to create coins with attractive designs, and to introduce new designs and themes often, in order to raise the numismatic value of the coins over the value of previous metal used.
This coin is part of a series commemorating the Australian participation in World War II - the War in the Pacific, as the Pacific Ocean theatre of this war is called. This design memorialises the first air-sea battle in the Pacific where Allied forces repelled a Japanese invasion force that, if successful, could have isolated Australia. |
| Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Total Mintage |
1,185,003 (1.2 million)
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend, the date of issue and the value: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1/2oz 999 SILVER 2015 50 CENTS.
The inscription around the rim also incorporates the precious metal content. "1/2 oz 999 SILVER" means "one half of a troy ounce of 99.9% silver" ).
The background is frosted. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin depicts at its centre a World War II battleship with guns raised. On the left, the Southern Cross constellation as depicted on the Australian flag; on the right, the flag of the United States.
Below left, the P mint mark of the Perth Mint. Below the waterline on the right, the initials of the designer: WR (for Wade Robinson).
Around the rim, the inscription BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA above, and WAR IN THE PACIFIC 1941-45 below. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA WAR IN THE PACIFIC 1941-45 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated.
Packaging: in plastic flip, or 25 coins in mint tube, or 500 in master box. |
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