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The Australian two dollar coin denomination (written as $2) was introduced in 1988 to replace a banknote of the same value. Its original ("definitive") design depicts an Aboriginal Elder and is issued every year. The Royal Australian Mint also uses the denomination to issue a large variety of circulating commemorative coins with the same size and composition - such as this one. On the 50th anniversary of Australian decimal currency, the Royal Australian Mint released a special series of coins commemorating the earlier, pre-decimal currency of the country. The modern circulating designs were joined by depictions of Australia's pre decimal coins on the obverse. The story of Australian currency runs parallel with the nation's history of progression. As early European settlers improvised a monetary system, international coins, promissory notes and the infamous rum trade were all visible in the early 1800s. The first coins "minted" in Australia were created by removing a piece from the centre of a Spanish dollar, forming two separate coins known as the Holey Dollar and Dump. The gold rush of the mid-19th Century resulted in many unofficial tokens and ingots until the Sydney Mint opened in 1855, producing sovereigns which were largely identical to their British counterparts. This English influence remained strong and the new national currency of 1910 inevitably emulated English pounds, shillings and pence. On 14 February 1966, the changeover to decimal currency transformed the nation, as Australia joined a worldwide currency trend. The uniquely Australian images of the decimal coins are still cherished on their 50th anniversary. As a tribute to Australia's coin history, each coin of the Changeover series features depictions of coin designs from years past. The two dollar coin shows a Crown design (coins of the Crown denomination were only issued in Australia in 1937 and 1938). Unlike all other commemorative two dollar coins, the commemorative design is on the obverse, while the reverse has the traditional Aboriginal Elder design. | ||||||
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Variety | In mint sets | |
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Mintage | Issued: 64,821 (included in total) | |
In Set |
2016 Six Coin Uncirculated Set - The Changeover, mintage 63,571
6 coins: $2 Aboriginal Elder, $1 Mob of Roos, 50 Cents, 20 Cents, 10 Cents, 5 Cents - variety: 2016 Six Coin Uncirculated Set - The Changeover (WMF Edition), mintage 1,250 (not included in the above set) | |
Variety | In PNC | |
Mintage | Issued: 9,227 (included in total). Mintage limit: 9,000 | |
Details | In Postal Numismatic Cover (PNC) Decimal Currency 1966 > 2006; first day of issue 9 February 2016. Issue price AU$17.95. Issue limit: 9,000; actual mintage: 9,227. Called "$2 uncirculated 50th anniversary of decimal currency clamshell" in the mint report; Item Code: 310980. | |
Variety | Proof FDC | |
Mintage | Issued: 25,840 (included in total) | |
In Set |
2016 Six Coin Proof Set - The Changeover, mintage 25,840
6 coins: $2 Aboriginal Elder, $1 Mob of Roos, 50 Cents, 20 Cents, 10 Cents, 5 Cents |
Source | Edition | About | Link | Notes |
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Royal Australian Mint | 2016 | Mint | link | |
Royal Australian Mint | 2017 | Mintage | link |
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Royal Mint |
Country | Australia |
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Currency | Australian Dollar |
Coin Type | Two Dollars Circulating Commemorative |
Issued | 2016 |
Monarch | Queen Elizabeth II |
Effigy | Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait, by Ian Rank-Broadley |
Face Value | 2 (x Dollar) |
Circulation Mintage | 2,882,000 (2.9 million) |
Total Mintage | 2,981,888 (3.0 million) |
Current | Yes |
Material | Aluminium-Bronze |
Designer | Horst Hahne |
Technology | Milled (machine-made) |
Shape | Round |
Orientation | Coin Alignment (Axis 6) |
Size | 20.5000 mm |
Thickness | 2.8000 mm |
Mass | 6.6000 g |
OCC ID | DRMK-GEZA-CVGN-ONXQ |
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Image | Details |
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Coin, Australia, 2 Dollars 2016 - 50 Years Decimal Currency
Copyright: NumisCorner.com Source |
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Coin, Australia, 2 Dollars 2016 - 50 Years Decimal Currency
Copyright: NumisCorner.com Source |
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2016 $2 Circulating Coin - 50th anniversary of decimal currency - Obverse
Copyright: Royal Australian Mint Source |