01/02/2009
The Royal Australian Mint begins the New Year in style by announcing the release of the new effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, by Ian Rank-Broadley, which will appear on circulating coins later in the year. Four new coin collections are also due for release on 1 January 1999. All coins will include the new effigy which was last updated in 1985. The new products have themes sure to appeal to the public: the Six Coin Set pays tribute to the United Nations International Year of Older Persons (IYOP); the ever-popular Baby Coin Set features a medallion with a mother koala nursing her newborn; the commemorative $1 C mint mark celebrates The Last Anzacs; and a $1 Silver Kangaroo Coin, representing an Australian icon.
New Effigy
Since The Queens crowning in 1953 there have been four effigies of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Previous effigies have been designed by Mary Gillick (1953), Arnold Machin (1966), Raphael Maklouf (1985) and most recently, featured so far only on collector coins, Ian Rank-Broadleys representation. Since 1985 all Australian coins have featured on their obverses Makloufs 1985 creation, but later this year the Royal Australian Mint will produce a new batch of circulating coins displaying the new portrait.
1999 Six Coin Set
The release of the 1999 Six Coin Sets marks the beginning of the coin collecting year in Australia and demonstrates the high craftsmanship for which the Royal Australian Mint is renowned. To celebrate the United Nations International Year of Older Persons the theme Australia towards a society for all ages has been chosen for the 1999 Six Coin Sets which are available in proof and uncirculated finishes. In both sets, the $1 coin is devoted to the logo representing the Year, which is surrounded by a border stating the name of the Year and the theme. Standard designs of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c and $2 coins are represented on the other coins in the sets.
1999 Baby Coin Set
Much like the Six Coin Set, the 1999 Baby Coin Set features coins representing designs of all circulating pieces, including the commemorative $1 International Year of Older Persons coin. In addition to attractive packaging, making it a perfect gift, the set contains a copper or silver medallion a special memento for baby. Proof sets have coins with a mirror-like background and a raised frosted design; alternatively, polished coins on specially prepared dies are available in the uncirculated set.
1999 $1 mint mark coin
Mint mark coins bear a mark to denote the city for which the coins are minted. The $1 C mint mark (minted in Canberra) commences this years collection, honouring the sacrifice and service of the original Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) members.
The Minister for Veterans Affairs, Mr Bruce Scott, said "Sadly, none remain of those who went ashore at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, and only a handful of those who arrived later are still alive." The coin released by the Mint celebrates not just the ANZACs, but the Anzac spirit created by the servicemen and women whose courage and selflessness constitutes the Anzac tradition.
Mr Scott added, "Every Australian should be proud of our veterans and the Royal Australian Mint has clearly played its part in helping acknowledge the debt we owe to those men and women who helped defend the freedom we enjoy today".
Future mint mark coins for other capital cities featuring The Last Anzacs will be released throughout the year, all representing on their packaging a different aspect of the battle at Gallipoli. Mint mark coins may be collected separately, or as a set and are a great keepsake for all - not just coin enthusiasts.
1999 $1 Silver Kangaroo Coin
Each year the Royal Australian Mint dedicates a coin to our native kangaroo. In 1999 the focus of the $1 Silver Kangaroo Coin is the kangaroo family, the mother carrying a joey in her pouch. This coin is presented in two finishes: a frosted uncirculated finish (frosted background and polished design) and a proof finish (mirror-like background and raised frosted design). A 40 mm diameter emphasises the beauty of these exquisitely designed coins, most popular with international collectors and visitors to Australia.