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The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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 AUSTRALIA 2oz 9999 Ag 2021 2 DOLLARS.
The inscription around the rim also incorporates the precious metal content. "2oz 9999 Ag" means "two troy ounces of 99.99% silver" - Ag is abbreviated from the Latin word for silver, Argentum.
The portrait of the Queen is smaller than normal and is in a circle in the lower part of the obverse. In a small shield above, the crowned portrait of King Edward VII facing right (the first Australian florins were issued in his name, and had his portrait on the obverse).
The background is frosted. |