Coin | Twenty Cents 2023 AC/DC |
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The Australian 20 cent coin was first introduced with decimalisation on 14 February 1966 when it replaced the pre-decimal Australian florin, to which it is equal in size and mass. The original reverse design by Stuart Devlin has not been changed since its introduction.
The denomination is occasionally used by both the Royal Australian Mint and the Perth Mint to issue collector coins, which are legal tender in Australia - such as this one.
This non-circulating collector issue 20 cents coin was issued as part of the coin series celebrating 50 years of world-famous Australian rock group AC/DC.
AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Although their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal, the band themselves call it simply "rock and roll". The band's line-up varied throughout the years; it did not disband though, and issued its latest album in 2020, 47 years after it was founded. |
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Obverse | |
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The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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 2023 · 20 CENTS ·.
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Reverse | |
The reverse shows at its centre a large AC↯DC logo, on a background of a dotted grid and concentric circles.
The face value and denomination are on the obverse. |
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Reverse Inscription |
AC↯DC |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Finish:Brilliant Uncirculated. Packaging: in capsule representing a vinyl record, in packaging which resembles a vinyl record cover - the image on which matches the design of the coin. The coin was not released individually; it was only available as part of a six-coin set.
Owing to the unfortunate tendency of some mints - the Royal Australian Mint included - to issue future-dated coins, this coin is not exactly an error coin (considering that it was released like this intentionally) but is not right either. It is dated 2023, but features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II who died in September 2022; the coin should have carried the portrait of King Charles III instead. |
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