| Coin | Ten Dollars Silver 1986 South Australia |
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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 is part of a series which represents the individual States and Territories of the Commonwealth of Australia, and features the Coat of Arms of South Australia; it marks the 150th anniversary of the state.
The first recorded European sighting of the South Australian coast was in 1627 when the Dutch ship the Gulden Zeepaert, captained by François Thijssen, examined and mapped a section of the coastline as far east as the Nuyts Archipelago. On 15 August 1834, the British Parliament passed the South Australia Act 1834 (Foundation Act), which empowered His Majesty to erect and establish a province or provinces in southern Australia. The act stated that the land between 132° and 141° east longitude and from 26° south latitude to the southern ocean would be allotted to the colony, and it would be convict-free. The South Australian Company established a temporary settlement at Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, on 26 July 1836, five months before Adelaide was founded. |
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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 1986.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design of the coin features the Coat of Arms of South Australia granted by Queen Elizabeth II on 19 April 1984. The shield has the piping shrike bird within a disc (officially said to represent the rising sun). The crest is the Sturt's desert pea, the floral emblem of South Australia, on top of a wreath of the State colours. The coat of arms has no supporters. The base is a grassland with symbols of agriculture and industry; on a ribbon below, the name SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
Around above, the inscription 1836 · SOUTH AUSTRALIA · 1986. Around below, the face value 10 DOLLARS. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
1836 · SOUTH AUSTRALIA · 1986 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 78,100 Brilliant Uncirculated coins distributed in a presentation wallet, and 52,150 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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