Silver Ounce and a Half 2023 Australian Sea Lion, 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The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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 1/2oz 9999 Ag 2 DOLLARS ·.

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

The inscription around the rim also incorporates the precious metal content. "1 1/2 oz 9999 Ag" means "one and a half troy ounces of 99.99% silver" - Ag is abbreviated from Argentum, the Latin word for silver.

The reverse design features a sea lion (seal) resting on a rock, with sea waves in the background.

The Perth Mint's P mint mark is on the left. On the rock near the rim below right, the initials of the designer: JM, for Jennifer McKenna.

Around below, the inscription AUSTRALIAN SEA LION.

The background is patterned with thin wavy lines.

Silver content (Troy oz): 1.500
Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated), frosted surfaces.

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.