Tasmanian student's design featured in Centenary of Federation coin set
6th September 2001
The first coin set with a specific Tasmanian theme has been released by the Royal Australian Mint as part of a special series to commemorate Australian's Centenary of Federation.
A new commemorative 20c coin featuring a design by a Tasmanian high school student, a 50c piece depicting the Tasmanian Coat of Arms, and a $1 coin showing the Centenary of Federation logo are combined in the Tasmanian Coin Set.
The commemorative 20 cent coin for Tasmania was designed by Abbey MacDonald from Launceston Church Grammar School. Abbey created her design during late 2000 when she was a Year 11 student in response to a national competition by the Royal Australian Mint. Her design was selected from over 200 entries from more than 60 primary and secondary schools throughout the State to form part of a special coin series commemorating Australia's Centenary of Federation.
Abbey submitted a skilful hand drawn design featuring a popular symbol of Tasmania - the Tasmanian Tiger, superimposed on a map of the State.
In officially unveiling the 20cent coin, Senator The Hon. Eric Abetz said "Commemorative coins allow us to share the celebration of important events in the journey of our nation with future generations. Abbey's design pays tribute to Tasmania, and symbolises the unique heritage of the State."
The Tasmanian Three Coin Sets are now available in both proof and uncirculated versions, and will be sold throughout Australia as well as to collectors overseas. The coins will be released into general circulation later in the year.
The Tasmanian Coin Set is part of a series produced by the Royal Australian Mint for all Australian States and Self-governing Territories during 2001, to commemorate the Centenary of Federation.
The other State and Territory coin sets feature the common $1 coin depicting the Centenary of Federation logo, a 50c piece depicting the respective State/Territory Coat of Arms, and a 20c coin unique to each State/Territory designed by school students.
All of the coins for each State and Self-governing Territory can be collected in a 20 coin collection. The collector coin sets are available from The Royal Australian Mint on 1300 652 020, coin dealers, and from selected Australia Post outlets.
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Tasmanian Centenary of Federation 20c Coin - High resolution 2250x2250 pixel JPG | JPG 1MB (Zip) |
Background
About Abbey MacDonald's coin design...
- Winner of the Tasmanian section of the Centenary of Federation Coin Design Competition conducted by the Royal Australian Mint.
- Launceston Church Grammar School will be presented with a prize of $5,000 from the Royal Australian Mint for submitting the winning design.
- The selection process occurred initially at school level, after which the Royal Australian Mint selected entries for submission to the Centenary of Federation Tasmanian Committee. The final winning design was chosen by a panel comprised of three Federal Government Ministers.
- The design by Abbey was chosen from over 200 entries from over 60 primary and secondary schools throughout Tasmania.
- Abbey created a design featuring the Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger, superimposed on a map of Tasmania.
- The thylacine is one of the most fabled animals of all of Australian native fauna. The last known thylacine died 65 years ago in Hobart Zoo on 7 September, 1936. However, the incidence of reported thylacine sightings has continued.
- The 20c coin featuring their design, along with a 50c coin featuring the Tasmanian Coat of Arms, and a $1 coin featuring the Centenary of Federation logo are combined in a special 3 Coin Set for Tasmania. These collector sets are now available in both proof and uncirculated versions.
- The 20c coin featuring their design will go into general circulation later in the year.