Information about effigy: Queen Elizabeth II - Portrait by Vladimir Gottwald

In 1996 the Royal Australian Mint was invited to submit designs for an update to the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse of Commonwealth coinage. The RAM's in-house designer at the time Vladimir Gottwald submitted his design and was among the final three viewed by the Queen herself for approval. Although the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy was finally chosen, Gottwald's design was approved for a one time striking on the Australian 2000 Royal Visit 50 cent coin.

With this minting, Vladimir Gottwald became the first Australian designer since Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal KCVO RA, who sculpted the 1910-1936 effigy of King George V, to have his work on the obverse of an Australian coin.

The same Vladimir Gottwald obverse was later used also on all the coins in the 2010 gold year set commemorating 10 years since this obverse was used, and on later non-circulating coins.

This portrait depicts Her Majesty wearing the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Rank-Broadley portraits, and the King Faisal of Saudi Arabia Necklace.

Royal Visit 50c with special portrait

Australia / Fifty Cents 2000 Royal Visit

The portrait was initially only used on the 2000 Royal Visit circulating commemorative 50 cents.

Non-circulating $1

Australia / One Dollar 2019 Gottwald Portrait

In later years, the portrait was re-issued on some non-circulating coins made for collectors.