| Coin | Two Dollars 2023 Lest We Forget (Red) |
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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.
This design was first issued in 2015 to commemorate 100 years since the Anzac Cove landings during World War I. Inspired by the poppy - the international remembrance symbol for the war, the distinctive and powerful red coloured print encapsulates the solemn words "Lest We Forget".
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The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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) and extends almost to the rim of the coin; consequently, the legend does not run continuously around the rim.
The artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark) are in tiny letters below left.
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the date: ELIZABETH II 1952 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA 2023.
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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Around the centre of the design is the inscription LEST WE FORGET inside concentric red-striped circles. Surround it are images of poppies and crosses.
Around below, the value and denomination TWO DOLLARS. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
LEST WE FORGET TWO DOLLARS |
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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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Search for Australia: Two Dollars 2023 Lest We Forget (Red) on eBay 