Australia 50c 150th Running of the Melbourne Cup
The Royal Australian Mint has released another uncirculated Non Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) 50c coin into the collector market corresponding with the 150th anniversary of the running of the Melbourne Cup. This dodecagonal 50c piece is the same material, weight and size as it's circulating friends but will not be released into circulation. Made from cupro-nickel which is 75% copper and 25% nickel this coin is 31.51mm in diameter and weighs 15.55g. It is dated 2010 and features the standard Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.
The reverse is designed by RAM designer Wojciech Pietranik. The design commemorates the 150th running of the prestigious annual horse race, the Melbourne Cup held in Australia on the second Tuesday each November. It really is "the race that stops a nation" with many Australians stopping in their tracks at 3pm on race day to watch or listen to the event.
Wojciech's design depicts horses and jockeys crossing the finishing line at Flemington Racecourse, the venue for the cup race. The coin comes displayed in a capsule pushed into an informative card depicting champion thoroughbred Phar Lap. Both the card and coin were designed in collaboration with the Victorian Racing Club and feature elements of their trademarked logos. It is avalable for $8.95 issue price and at present is an unlimited mintage.
Posted by harrisk at October 15, 2010 1:07 PM
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