| Coin | Two Dollars 2023 Indigenous Military Service (Coloured) |
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The two dollar coin denomination (written as $2) was introduced in Australia in 1988, replacing the earlier banknotes. The original reverse design by Horst Hahne on circulating coins has not been changed since its introduction. The denomination is also often used to issue circulating commemorative coins with various reverses.
Apart from the circulating coinage, both the Royal Australian Mint and the Perth Mint have extensive programs issuing $2 coins for collectors (Non-Circulating Legal Tender, or NCLT), such as this one.
The Royal Australian Mint first issued this design in 2021 to acknowledge the role of Indigenous Military Personnel - men and women who have served in the Australian military. Having served in every conflict and commitment involving Australian defence contingents, since Federation, including but not limited to, Gallipoli, Kokoda and Vietnam, the strength of Indigenous Service has been a constant throughout Australian history.
Inspired by the artwork of Chern’ee Sutton, the design of the coin is rich with Indigenous and military symbols.
The design was re-issued as non-circulating legal tender (NCLT) in 2023 as part of a set commemorating the 35th anniversary of the $2 denomination. |
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| Obverse | |
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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The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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 1952 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA 2023 · 2 DOLLARS ·.
The legend is interrupted by the "memorial" inclusion of the dates of the Queen's reign, 1952 - 2022. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design features a black hand-print in the centre, surrounded by three rows of dots in the colours of the Defence Forces Tri-Service Flag. This is surrounded by a snake decorated with Aboriginal symbols.
Around above, the inscription INDIGENOUS MILITARY SERVICE.
The value and denomination, as well as the date of issue, are on the obverse. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
INDIGENOUS MILITARY SERVICE |
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| Edge | Milled interrupted (20 notches in 4 sections) | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | The coins were issued during the reign of King Charles III; however, as his effigy was not yet approved for use in Australia, they feature a "memorial" obverse with the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the dates of her reign, 1952 - 2022. |
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| Included in Set |
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35th Anniversary of The Two Dollar Coin, mintage 35,000, limited to 35,000
14 coins: $2 Remembrance Day (Plain Poppy), $2 Remembrance Day (Red Poppy), $2 Remembrance Day (Green), $2 Lest We Forget (Red), $2 Remembrance Day (Orange), $2 Lest We Forget (Coloured Mosaic), $2 Remembrance Day (Blue and Green), $2 Lest We Forget (Eternal Flame), $2 Invictus Games, $2 Firefighters (Orange), $2 Indigenous Military Service (Coloured), $2 Ambulance Services (Green), $2 Frontline Workers (Grey), $2 Honey Bee (Orange)
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