12/01/1999
The Royal Australian Mint has released collector coins dated with the year 2000; one of these is a commemorative fifty-cent coin bearing the Australian flag and the words Millennium Year, likely to be released into general circulation later in 2000. The transition of millennia has influenced the themes surrounding the 2000 products.
2000 SIX COIN SET
Celebrating the year 2000 the Six Coin Set is accompanied by the commemorative fifty-cent coin. Illustrated with the Australian National Flag and flanked by the words Millennium Year, the sets are available in proof and uncirculated finishes. The proof version offers some interesting features. Arranged in the form of the Southern Cross constellation, the set presents the Australian National Flag in colour. The surrounding coins for both sets are the 5c, 10c, 20c, $1 and $2 coins featured with their standard designs.
2000 BABY COIN SET
To celebrate the entry into the year 2000 the commemorative fifty-cent coin is also part of the 2000 Baby Coin Set. Featuring in both the uncirculated and proof versions, each set is accompanied by a medallion. Offered with a blank reverse this allows for personal inscriptions. Each set also consists of the 5c, 10c, 20c, $1 and $2 coins featured with their standard designs. The uncirculated set is offered with a copper medallion while the proof set features a coloured Australian flag and a silver medallion.
2000 $1 MINTMARK COIN
The $1 mintmark has been chosen to acknowledge a piece of Australias maritime history. The HMAS Sydney II was a modified Leander Class light cruiser involved in a number of duties throughout the Mediterranean and around Australia. Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of the cruiser and crew after being involved in a confrontation with German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran, off the Western Australian coast.
Presented in a 3-panel folder, the packaging is illustrated with the ship moving through the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The C mintmark denoting Canberra will be the first release whilst other mintmarks will be released throughout the year.
2000 $1 SILVER KANGAROO COIN
The 2000 $1 Silver Kangaroo Coin is illustrated by a leaping Kangaroo across a silhouette of Australia. Presented in the earthy tones of Australia, the packaging attempts to emphasise the relationship between Australia and the Kangaroo. Available in a frosted uncirculated and proof version, these coins are popular purchases for international collectors and visitors to Australia.