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.
This coin is part of a three-coin series by the Royal Australian Mint marking the Centenary of Vegemite; the coins are coloured, with each in one of the Vegemite brand colours - yellow, red and black.
Vegemite is a thick, dark brown Australian food spread made from leftover brewers' yeast extract with various vegetable and spice additives. It was developed by Cyril Callister in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1922.
A spread for sandwiches, toast, crumpets and cracker biscuits as well as a filling for pastries, Vegemite is similar to British Marmite, New Zealand Marmite, Australian Promite, MightyMite, AussieMite, OzEmite, German Vitam-R, and Swiss Cenovis. Vegemite has a strong flavour. It is salty, slightly bitter, malty, and has an umami flavour similar to beef bouillon (because it is rich in glutamates). It is vegan, kosher, and halal. It is known for being high in B vitamins.
Coins issued in 2023 have now been in circulation for only two years. |
| 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The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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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At centre, the reverse design depicts a smiling boy eating a slice of bread covered with Vegemite. On the left, 1923; on the right, 2023. Surrounding the designs is a red line inscribed with multiple letters V.
Around above, the inscription VEGEMITE CENTENARY. Around below, HAPPY LITTLE VEGEMITES.
The face value and date of issue are on the obverse. |
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| Notes | The coins was released into circulation through a "corporate program" partnership between the mint and Woolworths Supermarkets, with customers receiving them in their change. As with similar earlier releases, the three coins in the series were issued one week apart.
Release date for the red $2 Vegemite Centenary coins was announced as 31 May 2023, although they actually appeared in change a week earlier.
The date of issue is during the reign of King Charles III; however, as his effigy was not expected to be approved for use in Australia until late in the year, the coin features a "memorial" obverse with the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the dates of her reign, 1952 - 2022. |
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