Coin | Ten Dollars Silver 1993 Australian Capital Territory |
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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 the last issue in a series which represents the individual States and Territories of the Commonwealth of Australia, and features the Coat of Arms of the Australian Capital Territory.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), known as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) until 1938, is a federal territory of Australia. Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is located in this territory. It is located in southeastern Australian mainland as an enclave completely within the state of New South Wales. Founded after Federation as the seat of government for the new nation, the territory hosts the headquarters of all important institutions of the Australian Government. |
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Obverse | |
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 1993.
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Reverse | |
The reverse design of the coin features the Coat of Arms of the city of Canberra, which was granted to the Federal Capital Commission, its successors and the City of Canberra by King George V in 1928; it is also used by the Australian Capital Territory as its de facto coat of arms, as the territory does not have its own separate coat of arms.
In its centre, the Coat of Arms features a shield with a castle with three towers, above which crossed sword and mace, and below a white rose - the badge of the Duke of York who opened the old Parliament of Australia building in 1927, and who would later be crowned as King George VI.The crest above the shield is a crowned portcullis which symbolises the legislature (parliament), this being the traditional symbol of the Palace of Westminster, which houses the Parliament of the United Kingdom - just as the Australian Parliament is in Canberra. The supporters are an Australian black swan, representing Aboriginal Australians, and an European white mute swan, representing white settlers.
On a ribbon below, the motto FOR THE KING THE LAW AND THE PEOPLE - the English translation of "Pro Rege, Lege et Grege", which is found on the arms of the city of Perth in Scotland.
Around above, the inscription · AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY ·. Around below, the face value 10 DOLLARS. |
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Reverse Inscription |
· AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY · 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 19,288 Brilliant Uncirculated coins distributed in a presentation folder, and 21,183 cased proofs. |
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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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