© Mike Bentley (CC BY-NC)
© Mike Bentley (CC BY-NC)
50 Cents - Elizabeth II 3rd Portrait - Masterpieces in Silver - First Fleet Bicentenary
| Silver (.925) | 18 g | 31.51 mm |
| Issuer | Australia |
|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Years | 1988-1989 |
| Value | 50 Cents 0.50 AUD = USD 0.34 |
| Currency | Dollar (1966-date) |
| Composition | Silver (.925) |
| Weight | 18 g |
| Diameter | 31.51 mm |
| Thickness | 3 mm |
| Shape | Dodecagonal (12-sided) |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#85160 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 66% |
Reverse
Depiction of an uncharted map of New Holland (Australia), the stars of the southern cross and a ship of the First Fleet.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
AUSTRALIA 1788-1988
W S E
NEW HOLLAND
FIFTY CENTS
Designer: Michael Treacy
Edge
12 Sided Smooth
Comment
This Sterling Silver (.925) NCLT Proof coin was issued as part of the 1988 Bicentennial Masterpieces in Silver Set with three other Sterling Silver Proof coins. The coins in the set were :-This 50 cent coin featuring the special reverse face for the Bicentennial Year 1988, see below.
A $1 coin featuring the special reverse face for the Bicentennial Year 1988.
A $2 coin which replaced the Two Dollar Banknote in the Bicentennial Year 1988.
A $5 coin which commemorated the opening of the New Parliament House in the Bicentennial Year1988.
In 1988 Australia celebrated 200 years since the arrival of the First Fleet. Captain Arthur Phillip led the party of 11 ships to the founding of Sydney and the colonisation of New South Wales. Arriving between 18-20th January 1788 1,487 men, women, children and convicts landed in Botany Bay to establish the first European colony in Australia. This 50 cent coin commemorates the event.
A Copper-nickel version of this 50 cent coin was released into circulation and included in the UNC and Proof Year sets for 1988.
This Sterling Silver coin was also re-issued in the following year, dated 1989, as part of the next Masterpieces in Silver Set , the "Fifty Cent Collection".
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was part of a limited edition series released to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the First Fleet's arrival in Australia in 1788. The coin's design features a depiction of the First Fleet's flagship, the HMS Sirius, and is one of only 35,000 coins minted.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 5000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1989 | 2500 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 50 Cents - Elizabeth II (3rd Portrait - Masterpieces in Silver - First Fleet Bicentenary) 1988-1989 coin.
