2001 Centenary of Federation 20c Norfolk Island
Commemorating the Centenary of Federation in 2001 the coin seen above was issued into circulation. It is the 20 cent piece for Norfolk Island, just one of 9 twenty cent coins in the State Series depicting each Australian State and self-governing Territory. A series of $1, 50c and 20c designs were released by the Royal Australian Mint commemorating 100 years since Australia's Federation in 1901.
The reverse design is by Year 8 student Megan Cummings from Norfolk Island Central School who was the winner of the Royal Australian Mint's student design competition for her state/territory. This was a national competition for primary and secondary school students to design a coin to represent their state or territory, the coins representing the vision and talent of Australia's youth. Megan's design tells the story of the Island's people depicting the Norfolk Pine superimposed of a map of the Island. The bird refers to the white terns seen on the island, the sun a reflection of the beautiful weather, an anchor denoting HMS Sirius shipwrecked off the coast in 1790, fish representing marine life and a ship* incorporated in the design refers to the supplies arriving to the island each month. Her initial's MC have also been included on the design. The obverse is the standard Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.
The coin weighs 11.30 grams and is 28.52mm in diameter. It is made form Cupro Nickel, 75% copper and 25% Nickel.
2,200,000 of these coins were issued into circulation but many of these have been put aside by collectors so it's not that common to find one in your change.
6,200 uncirculated coins were issued in 3 coin sets
15,900 uncirculated coins were issued to complete 21,040 20 coin sets
3,750 proof coins were issued in 3 coin sets
10,024 proof coins were issued in complete 13,000 20 coin sets.
* There is conflicting information over whether the ship in Megan's design denotes the story of the Pitcairn Islanders who settled on Norfolk Island in 1856.
source:RAM Media Release 11th June 2001.
Article reference: The Mint Issue No 42 May 2001
Posted by harrisk at November 27, 2010 8:07 AM
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