Australia's outback celebrated on new 2002 Coins
15th November 2001
The Royal Australian Mint has released the first 2002 dated Collector coin sets which commemorates the Year of the Outback in 2002.
Two coins specifically commemorate the Outback theme. The $1 coin depicts the official Year of the Outback logo, whilst the 50c coin design features the wanes of a windmill. The coins are now available to the public as an integral part of year 2002 Collector coin sets.
The Year of the Outback aims to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of the Outback, and to give recognition to its contribution and importance in the life of the nation.
The logo for the Year of the Outback depicted on the $1 coin was designed by Elizabeth Robinson, a student at Charles Sturt University, Wagga, NSW. The logo depicts a stylised outline of Australia, with the top of the outline reflected in the nation's interior. The logo also incorporates the Southern Cross, a well-known symbol of Australia and guide for travellers over the ages. Reaching towards the Southern Cross are a series of trails, representing the stories or marks that were left first by Aborigines and then by white settlers, explorers and pioneers in the outback.
In proof versions, the $1 coin features the Year of the Outback logo in colour. The theme colours of the logo are blue and red, representing the night sky and red earth of the inland. This will be third year that colour has been used on proof versions of selected commemorative coins produced by the Royal Australian Mint.
The design of the commemorative 50c coin features a windmill, an icon of inland Australia. Windmills are scattered all over the Australian continent like tireless sentinels standing guard over precious water supplies that give and sustain life. The windmill is a fitting symbol of the outback - representing perseverance in a harsh environment, a sense of timelessness, and the contribution of the outback as a wellspring for the Australian ethos.
The new coins are featured in the 2002 Six Coin Sets and the 2002 Baby Coin Sets, which are now available in both proof and uncirculated versions. These sets include the commemorative $1 and 50c coins as well as the standard coin designs for the 5c, 10c, 20c, and $2 as will be seen in circulation next year. The proof version of the $1 coin will have colour, whilst the uncirculated version of the $1 coin and the 50c proof and uncirculated coins will be produced in the more familiar format in struck relief.
The release of the Six Coin Sets and Baby Coin Sets mark the beginning of the 2002 collector coin calendar. The 2002 Six Coin Sets and Baby Coin Sets are now available from the Royal Australian Mint on 1300 652 020, Coin Dealers and selected Australia Post outlets.
| Coin | Description | Download |
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The Year of the Outback $1 - High resolution 2154x2165 pixel JPG |
JPG 1.67MB (Zip) |
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The Year of the Outback 50c - High resolution 2381x2381 pixel JPG |
JPG 1.14MB (Zip) |