In 2019 Australian coins transitioned to a new effigy designed by Jody Clark. The new effigy was the sixth coin portrait to have been created during the Queen's reign. This new effigy marked over 100 years of coin designers making a definitive coinage portrait. The introduction of this effigy was largely symbolic, in keeping with the tradition of periodically updating Her Majesty’s image on Commonwealth coinage.
The effigy was designed by Jody Clark; an engraver for the Royal Mint located in Wales, UK. Jody Clark’s original effigy was chosen through a closed competition commissioned by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee in 2015.
Following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022, the Royal Australian Mint transitioned to the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Obverse. Featuring British engraver Jody Clark’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the Memorial Obverse has one notable addition – the Queen’s years of reign – reading “Elizabeth II 1952-2022.
The Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Obverse will feature on collectable and investment coins from 1 January 2023.
