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Talisman Coins and the Perth Mint are proud to bring you this extremely
handsome commemorative celebrating 100th anniversary of the
introduction of the Commonwealth of Australia's first bronze coins in
1911. The seeds of this seminal event in the history of Australian
coinage were sown in 1901 when, under the new Constitution, control of
Australia’s currency was vested in the Commonwealth.
Subsequently, the Coinage Act of 1909 saw the replacement of British
gold, silver and bronze coins with the Commonwealth’s own
coinage, beginning with the 1910-dated Australian florin, shilling,
sixpence and threepence sterling
silver coins, with the effigy or
portrait of King
Edward VII. History buffs, coinage connoisseurs, and
fans of royalty, the land down under, and the ever-popular coin-on-coin
designs will love this pure
silver
dollar with color!
Series Note
It is an interesting coincidence of timing that the very first Australian silver coinage (struck in 1910) bears the portrait of one member of the House of Windsor, King Edward VII, while the very first bronze Aussie legal tender (issued just one year later in 1911) sports the effigy of Edward's son, King George V. The two pure silver dollars in this program commemorate these historic firsts and feature full-color portraits of these monarchs:
Australia 2010 Centenary of Silver Coinage $1 Silver Proof
Australia 2011 Centenary of Bronze Coinage $1 Silver Proof
Please see below for more information on King George V and Australian pre-decimal coinage.
George V's Reign
King George V was born in 1865, the second son of King Edward VII. From the age of twelve George served in the Royal Navy, but upon the unexpected death of his elder brother, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, he became heir to the throne.
George married Mary of Teck in 1893; the two were deeply in love. In fact, he wrote her every day that they were apart and never took a mistress, unlike his father. Although they occasionally toured the British Empire, George preferred to stay at home. He was fascinated with his stamp collection and lived what later biographers would consider a dull life because of its conventionality.
When George's father, King Edward VII died in 1910, he became King-Emperor. He was the only Emperor of India to be present at his own Delhi Durbar (coronation court), where he appeared before his Indian subjects crowned with the Imperial Crown of India, created specially for the occasion.
King George V led the British Empire during the First World War. He relinquished all German titles and styles, and changed the name of the royal house from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor. During his reign, the Statute of Westminster separated the crown so that George ruled the dominions as separate kingdoms, preparing the way for the future development of the Commonwealth. His reign also witnessed the rise of socialism, fascism, Irish republicanism and the first Labour ministry, all of which radically changed the political spectrum. King George V had two different British battleships named after him, the second of which famously took part in the sinking of the German Bismarck in May, 1941.
Series Note
It is an interesting coincidence of timing that the very first Australian silver coinage (struck in 1910) bears the portrait of one member of the House of Windsor, King Edward VII, while the very first bronze Aussie legal tender (issued just one year later in 1911) sports the effigy of Edward's son, King George V. The two pure silver dollars in this program commemorate these historic firsts and feature full-color portraits of these monarchs:
Australia 2010 Centenary of Silver Coinage $1 Silver Proof
Australia 2011 Centenary of Bronze Coinage $1 Silver Proof
Please see below for more information on King George V and Australian pre-decimal coinage.
George V's Reign
King George V was born in 1865, the second son of King Edward VII. From the age of twelve George served in the Royal Navy, but upon the unexpected death of his elder brother, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, he became heir to the throne.
George married Mary of Teck in 1893; the two were deeply in love. In fact, he wrote her every day that they were apart and never took a mistress, unlike his father. Although they occasionally toured the British Empire, George preferred to stay at home. He was fascinated with his stamp collection and lived what later biographers would consider a dull life because of its conventionality.
When George's father, King Edward VII died in 1910, he became King-Emperor. He was the only Emperor of India to be present at his own Delhi Durbar (coronation court), where he appeared before his Indian subjects crowned with the Imperial Crown of India, created specially for the occasion.
King George V led the British Empire during the First World War. He relinquished all German titles and styles, and changed the name of the royal house from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor. During his reign, the Statute of Westminster separated the crown so that George ruled the dominions as separate kingdoms, preparing the way for the future development of the Commonwealth. His reign also witnessed the rise of socialism, fascism, Irish republicanism and the first Labour ministry, all of which radically changed the political spectrum. King George V had two different British battleships named after him, the second of which famously took part in the sinking of the German Bismarck in May, 1941.
George was plagued by illness throughout much of his later reign. He
died in 1936 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Edward. King
Edward
VIII
is infamous for abdicating the British throne after a reign of
only 325 days, in order to marry the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson.
As a result, he never gained the crown nor was depicted on Australian
coinage.
Australia's Pre-Decimal Currency
The seeds of this landmark event in Australian history (the first Australian Commonwealth coinage) were sown in 1901 when, under the new Constitution, control of Australia’s currency was vested in the Commonwealth. Although Australia took responsibility for its currency after Federation in 1901, it did not establish distinctive coinage for some time. The new government instead chose a British-style system incorporating 12 pence to a shilling and 20 shillings (and therefore 240 pence) to a pound. The first coins to be introduced were the 1910-dated threepence, sixpence, shilling and florin, all in sterling (.925 fine) silver. They were joined by the bronze half penny and penny the following year, with a composition of 97% copper, 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin. Each denomination remained in circulation until decimalisation, which took place in 1966.
This handsome silver proof features a full color portrait of King George Vof England, superimposed over a stupendous collection of the first bronze coins issued by the Commonwealth of Australia - the ha'penny (halfpenny) and penny of 1911. Both the obverses (with the original Commonwealth Coat of Arms) and reverses (with the left-facing portrait of George V by Sir E.B. Mac) of these coins are depicted, in this intriguing coin-on-coin design.
Investment Note
We like this coin for several reasons. It is large (40.60 mm diameter), struck in pure silver, and is very handsomely colored - with two different color elements (the coinage and King George V's portrait). Both royalty and coin-on-coin designs are very popular themes with collectors. Finally, the mintage limit for this coin is very low - only 7,500, and the second of two releases in the Centennial of Australian Coinage program. Don't delay, we recommend one of these great colored silver proofs today!
Australia's Pre-Decimal Currency
The seeds of this landmark event in Australian history (the first Australian Commonwealth coinage) were sown in 1901 when, under the new Constitution, control of Australia’s currency was vested in the Commonwealth. Although Australia took responsibility for its currency after Federation in 1901, it did not establish distinctive coinage for some time. The new government instead chose a British-style system incorporating 12 pence to a shilling and 20 shillings (and therefore 240 pence) to a pound. The first coins to be introduced were the 1910-dated threepence, sixpence, shilling and florin, all in sterling (.925 fine) silver. They were joined by the bronze half penny and penny the following year, with a composition of 97% copper, 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin. Each denomination remained in circulation until decimalisation, which took place in 1966.
This handsome silver proof features a full color portrait of King George Vof England, superimposed over a stupendous collection of the first bronze coins issued by the Commonwealth of Australia - the ha'penny (halfpenny) and penny of 1911. Both the obverses (with the original Commonwealth Coat of Arms) and reverses (with the left-facing portrait of George V by Sir E.B. Mac) of these coins are depicted, in this intriguing coin-on-coin design.
Investment Note
We like this coin for several reasons. It is large (40.60 mm diameter), struck in pure silver, and is very handsomely colored - with two different color elements (the coinage and King George V's portrait). Both royalty and coin-on-coin designs are very popular themes with collectors. Finally, the mintage limit for this coin is very low - only 7,500, and the second of two releases in the Centennial of Australian Coinage program. Don't delay, we recommend one of these great colored silver proofs today!
Technology
Note
The Perth Mint of Australia employs its own proprietary colorization technology, in which the color is actually sealed on the coin. The vibrant hues and precise execution of the technology create a stunning, full-color portrait on each coin.
The Perth Mint of Australia employs its own proprietary colorization technology, in which the color is actually sealed on the coin. The vibrant hues and precise execution of the technology create a stunning, full-color portrait on each coin.
Obverse
The coin’s obverse depicts His Majesty, King George V of Great Britain, posed for his coronation portrait by Sir Luke Fides in 1911, in his full imperial regalia and finery. This outstanding color portrait is superimposed on a pile of silver Commonwealth coinage from 1911, also in color, to complete the design. The legends CENTENARY OF AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH BRONZE COINAGE and 1911-2011 denote the theme. The Perth Mint's "P" mint mark also appears.
Reverse
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, in crowned profile facing right. This portrait, featuring Her Majesty wearing a tiara and pearl earrings, was executed by the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley. The legend ELIZABETH II and denomination also appear.
Packaging
The coin is encapsulated
inside a
handsome taupe leatherette, clamshell-style presentation case, lined
with black velvet and satin, and protected by a full-color outer box.
An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included.
| Country | Australia |
| Mint | Perth Mint of Australia |
| Year of Issue | 2011 |
| Face Value | One Dollar |
| Weight | 31.135 g |
| Diameter | 40.60 mm |
| Gauge (Thickness) | 4.00 mm |
| Mintage Limit | 7,500 |
| Finish | Proof with Color |
| Composition | .999 Fine (Pure) Silver |
| Edge | Reeded (milled, serrated) |
| Artist | Darryl Bellotti (obverse) Ian Rank-Broadley (reverse) |
| Certificate | Individually Numbered |
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