Rare gold release from Royal Australian Mint commemorating 60th anniversary of the end of the World War II
27th April 2005
A rare release of Australia's beautiful and exceptional circulating coins, with special designs commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, have been struck in 24 carat gold by the Royal Australian Mint to create the limited edition 2005 Six Coin Gold Proof Set.
The Six Coin Gold Proof Year Set for 2005 includes all of our well-known and well-loved standard coin denominations with three unique designs on the $1, 50 cent and 20 cent coins to serve as a reminder of this important time in Australian history.
Dr Vivienne Thom, the Controller of the Mint said "Royal Australian Mint designers Wojciech Pietranik and Vladimir Gottwald have created three beautiful and fitting designs from images originating from the Second World War. Not since Australia's Centenary of Federation in 2001 has the Mint produced a gold set such as this. This is a reflection of the importance of the end of the war to Australian history."
Representing peace, coming home and remembrance the images on these coins were designed in consultation with the Australian War Memorial using photographs from their collection.
The one dollar coin entitled 'Peace' captures the joy and spontaneity of one of Australia's most iconic images, the 'dancing man' taken during victory celebrations at the end of the Second World War.
The fifty cent coin design 'Remembrance' captures the sombre and reflective mood of remembrance and the enormous cost of all conflicts.
The twenty cent coin, 'Coming Home' was inspired by an 1945 photograph of an Australian soldier, an ex-prisoner of war, returning home and seeing family after many years apart.
Housed in a beautiful She-Oak and Jarrah presentation box and wonderfully crafted 24 carat gold and with a limited mintage of only 650 sets, demand will be high among those who wish to own a beautiful and valuable reminder of this important time in Australian history. This gold set is priced at $3,700.
Orders for the 2005 The Six Coin Gold Proof Year Set can be placed by contacting the Royal Australian Mint on 1300 652 020 or order online at www.ramint.gov.au.