| Coin | Ten Dollars Silver 1985 Victoria |
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The regular circulating coinage of Australia includes coins from 5 cents up to two dollars. Apart from those, the Royal Australian Mint also issues non-circulating coins for collectors, some of which are made of silver and denominated as $10 (ten dollars). These are not bullion, since they are sold at prices much higher than the intrinsic value of the precious metal they contain.
This coin commemorates the 150th anniversary of the foundation of Melbourne and is the first issue in a series which represents the individual States and Territories of the Commonwealth of Australia; its design features the Coat of Arms of Victoria.
Victoria, like Queensland, was named after Queen Victoria, who had been on the British throne for 14 years when the colony was established in 1851. After the founding of the colony of New South Wales in 1788, Australia was divided into an eastern half named New South Wales and a western half named New Holland, under the administration of the colonial government in Sydney. The first British settlement in the area later known as Victoria was established in October 1803 under Lieutenant-Governor David Collins at Sullivan Bay on Port Phillip. Melbourne, which later became capital of the state, was founded in 1835. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right (her effigy known as the "Third Portrait"). The Queen is wearing the royal diadem which she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, a pearl necklace and earrings.
Incuse in tiny letters on the neck truncation, the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).
Around, the monarch's legend and the date of issue: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1985.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design of the coin features the Coat of Arms of Victoria granted to the state by King George V on 6 June 1910. The shield of arms displays the five stars of the Southern Cross constellation, and is surmounted by a helm on which the crest is a kangaroo holding St Edward’s Crown. On the left, the shield is supported by a woman holding an olive branch as a symbol of peace; on the right, the supporter is a woman holding a cornucopia as a symbol of prosperity. These two symbols reflect the motto which is inscribed on a ribbon below and reads PEACE AND PROSPERITY.
Around above, the inscription 1835 · VICTORIA · 1985. Around below, the face value 10 DOLLARS. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
1835 · VICTORIA · 1985 10 DOLLARS |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | The coin is made of sterling silver (92.5%).
Mintage includes 81,751 Brilliant Uncirculated coins distributed in a presentation wallet, and 55,806 proofs issued in a presentation box with a Certificate of Authenticity. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Australian States and Territories Silver Ten Dollars series:
- $10 Silver, Victoria, 1985
- $10 Silver, South Australia, 1986
- $10 Silver, New South Wales, 1987
- $10 Silver, Queensland, 1989
- $10 Silver, Western Australia, 1990
- $10 Silver, Tasmania, 1991
- $10 Silver, Northern Territory, 1992
- $10 Silver, Australian Capital Territory, 1993
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