| Coin | Silver Half Ounce 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup |
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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 commemorative silver coin is part of a series by the Royal Australian Mint commemorating the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 tournament, which took place from 20 July to 20 August 2023 and was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. |
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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The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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) and extends almost to the rim of the coin; consequently, the legend does not run continuously around the rim.
The artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark) are in tiny letters below left.
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the date: ELIZABETH II 1952 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA 2023 ·.
The legend is interrupted by the "memorial" inclusion of the dates of the Queen's reign, 1952 - 2022. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design depicts two female footballers in action with a football.
Shards of the background are decorated with Australia and New Zealand patterns of the official look of the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Above the players, the face value 1 DOLLAR.
On the left, the precious metal content: 1/2 oz .999 Ag (one half of a troy ounce of 99.9% silver); on the right, designer's initials SMS, for Stevan Stojanovic.
On two lines below, the inscription FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP AU · NZ · 23 TM. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
1 DOLLAR FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP AU · NZ · 23 TM |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: Proof FDC.
Packaging: in black presentation box with an illustrated shipper.
Release date: 28 June 2023.
RAM Product Code: 11221.
Release price: AU$ 80.00.
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.
According to the mint's report for 2022/2023, the limited mintage of 2,023 coins was sold out. |
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