I began what ended up becoming a mammoth task to build a timeline of the round Australian 50c piece and to delve into the why, where and how we came about having a copper nickel 12 sided half dollar. Australia started the decimal era with a round coin of 80% silver with the Australian Coat of Arms designed by Stuart Devlin. It was C-Day on February 14th 1966 and it was out with the florins and shillings and in with new decimal currency. Most of the pre-decimal coins were easily interchangeable with the new coins but the 50c was something different equalling two florins and a shilling or 5/- and Australia had not seen a circulating 5/- coin since 1938. A florin and a 20c were interchangeable (although early vending and counting machines struggled with the difference) but this new 50c was a novelty. Lower denominations (5c, 10, and 20c) were made from cupro-nickel but 3 of the new 50c equalled a whole ounce of silver.

Striking of the round 50c began in late November 1965 at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra. Mint Controller J M Henderson said "over three thousand dies were used" to produce the number of 50c needed. There were 12.5 million 50c coins ready for Decimal Changeover Day that had been distributed to banks via Operation Fastbuck, but from the very first day they were difficult to find. The Reserve Bank only let a few into circulation to combat souveniring, but the public liked the 20c coin and didn't see a real need for the 50c. There was already talk among collectors about the possible rise in the value of the precious metal silver and the effect this would have on the bullion value of the silver 50c.

Treasurer McMahon detailed just a few months into the changeover that the first production run of the round 50c was limited to 19 million coins, this would test the public reaction and that at this time runs of the 1c and 2c were more of a priority for the Mint. The total mintage of the round 50c concluded at 36.5 million coins (Decimal Currency Board Annual Report 1966-67).

By the end of 1966 it was being published that many other countries had abandoned (or were in the process of abandoning) silver content in their circulation coinage in favour of nickel. It was cheaper and had superior wear characteristics. Public outcry was that the round 50c was too easily confused with the 20c. "Apart from the initial novelty no one likes the round 50c".

August 1967 and an official proclamation under the currency act of 1965 repealed a section of the act which allowed both types of currency to be traded and all matters relating to money now had to be in dollars and cents. The round silver 50c is becoming quite scarce and news of the time reports that silver is becoming the most hoarded of all commodities! No 1967 50c coins are being minted.

Early 1968 and it seemed quite certain that Australia wouldn't see the 50c in it's present form again, but no official statement had been made. Silver had topped at $1.71 per fine ounce which resulted in the 1966 50c being worth 57c! The Mint had suspended it's minting of the round 50c but had denied this was a prelude to a coin with a lower silver content. The Mint simply said that there were enough 50c in circulation although they still seemed few and far between -according to the public. Some were even of two minds that we even needed a 50c coin.

It didn't take the Government long and by July 1968 the round 50c was being withdrawn. Stuart Devlin was consulted to redesign his round Coat of Arms reverse ever so slightly for a new coin more fitting to what Australia needed. Treasurer William McMahon confirmed this in January 1969 when he said "A decision was taken in April last to discontinue the minting of the Australian 50c coin in it's original form of 80% silver and 20% copper". The RAM in Canberra had been experimenting with various alternative alloys and shapes for a new 50c which might prove more acceptable to the public. The government has now decided to mint a 12 sided version in copper nickel.

26th August 1969 Treasurer McMahon, in Australian Parliament announced that the Mint had begun delivering the new 12 sided coins to the Reserve Bank. The first delivery was 1 million coins with production at 2 million coins per week until they were back in change and demand was satisfied. A special run of specimen coins was produced for Nuphil which were included in the Yarralumla PNC postmarked 1 September 1969, a private issue now highly sought by collectors.

By this time collectors and the Australian public were quite disinterested in the issue and were more excited about the pending issue of the Captain Cook commemorative 50c in 1970. Australia's first commemorative since the 1954 florin and the bicentenary of Captain Cooks voyage was well received -although some would say it should have been a dollar. This is the foundation of the popularity of the commemorative 50c and $1 issues of today.

We've been waiting patiently for news of the special counterstamp to be struck onto the 2012 Wheat Sheaf C mintmark dollar for Elighten in March 2012 in Canberra. It is now confirmed that a "Canberra Bluebell" counterstamp will be struck onto the C mintmark coin by the portable press at the special event and the coin packaged in special Enlighten packaging. These will be available for $12 at the event. The Royal Bluebell is the floral emblem of the ACT.

Titled "Fields of Gold Australian Wheat" this one dollar is part of a 2012 2 coin uncirculated set issued with a commemorative 20c piece. The design depicts a farmer in his (or her) Akubra hat driving their combine harvester harvesing their wheat crop. You can even see a tiny steering wheel and gear shifts in the comfortable air conditioned cab -yes even farmers get home comforts out in the paddock! Rows of wheat fill the bottom (left) half of the design with the designers initials (WP) for Wojciech Pietranik to the right.

In 2011 the Royal Australian Mint gave recognition to Australian Wool and for 2012 this set recognises what an important role Australian Wheat has had in the agricultural industry helping from settlement years growing Australia's self sufficiency where we now export wheat to over 40 countries. It is the staple grain which is used as flour to make breads, as bran for breakfast cereals, a forage crop for livestock and is even used in the fermentation process of beer. It is the third most produced cereal in the world.

The obverse of the coin is designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and features the standard effigy of Queen Elizabeth II seen on legal tender currency. This dollar is the standard 25mm size, weighs 9 grams and is made from aluminium bronze. It has interrupted edge milling. This set has a capped mintage of 40,000.

Commemorating 50 years of the triple zero emergency call service for fire, ambulance and police this 50c is pad printed in full colour, the reverse designed by Wojciech Pietranik. Just like 911 in the USA and 999 in the UK Aussies know that if they dial OOO (or 112 on a mobile), help is near. A free call from any phone, if you're in need of help, an operator will direct your call to the appropriate police, fire, or ambulance needed for a speedy response. It was in 1961 the Postmaster General (PMG, now known as Telstra) introduced the three digit number initially in major population centres but became the national number for emergencies. Prior to this there was no universal number for help.

Struck on a cupro-nickel dodecagonal or 12 sided planchet this 50c is the same that you would find in circulation but is NCLT (non-circulating legal tender). It features the standard effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley. It has been issued in a protective plastic blister which snaps into a credit card sized collector card. it features the Royal Australian Mint official numismatic product sticker and was issued for $10.

For all the 50c collectors out there and I know there are quite a few of you then the annual year sets from the Royal Australian Mint for 2012 contain something special just for you.

The uncirculated mint set features a hyper-metallic coloured design of the kangaroo, emu, state badges on the shield, wreath, star and a bold blue number 50. A stunning reinvigoration of the classic Coat of Arms design first seen on the 80% round silver 50c at decimal changeover in 1966.

The proof set features the 50c in selectively gold plated beauty each coin being individually pressed and hand polished for a result of the highest quality. Stuart Devlin's design certainly graces the dodecagonal shaped 50c well.

Both types of year set are a special edition for 2012 and every set is numbered with the uncirculated set limited to 100,000 and the proof set limited to 50,000. They invite us to look more closely at the designs that have stood the test of time and appreciate the detail, design and beauty of the designs found in your pocket that you might not give a second thought to.

Some coin collectors would give their right arm or left kidney for the opportunity to get up close to the innermost workings of the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra.

As part of the Canberra Festival in 2012, an event titled "Enlighten Canberra" includes evening tours of the coin production factory floor at the RAM. "Enligten Canberra" includes a myriad of performances, exhibitions, tours and talks at various venues around Canberra but my focus here is definately this very rare opportunity to tour the Mint. Ticketholders will get the opportunity to enter areas not normally accessable to the public and talk to the staff who will explain the complexities of the coin minting process. Ticketholders will also get the chance to mint their own special $1 coin!

The Mint shop will also have special items available for Enlighten and visitors to the Mint will get the chance to strike a Wheat Sheaf $1 C mintmark coin with an extra mintmark! (What will that be...) With a $12 price tag let's hope this is a good one.

Update 5th March 2012

The Bluebell Counterstamp

The Royal Australian Mint issued a standard sized aluminium bronze one dollar commemorating The President's Cup being played in Australia at the Royal Melbourne Golf Course, the *oldest club in Australia. Australia Post joined the celebrations in issuing this PNC which includes the one dollar coin and a 60c The president's Cup stamp. A series of 5 golfing stamps was issued for this event. This postal numismatic cover (PNC for short) is cancelled on 2 November 2011 at Melbourne Victoria. It features a holographic sticker as it is an official licensed product for The President's Cup and a red Australia Post authentic merchandise sticker. It was issued for $15.95. See the 2011 issues and mintages table for mintage information as it becomes available. For other commemorative PNC's see our PNC Master List.

*mainland Australia continuous running club

This PNC marks the 10th anniversary of the UN proclaimed International Year of Volunteers (2001). The Royal Australian Mint released a commemorative 20c which you might find in your change and this PNC was released jointly with the RAM and Australia Post. Each PNC up to 20,000 is individually numbered on the back with an Australia Post authentic merchandise sticker and was issued for $15.95. Each PNC is cancelled on November 2nd 2011 in Canberra and feature a 60c stamp.

The PNC and commemorative coin are a reminder of our community heroes and the extraordinary effort they put into their lives to help others.

In 1967 a careless mistake by a Royal Mint worker saw the birth of a rare mule coin. A copper 2c piece of New Zealand bears the undated obverse of a Bahamas 5 cent, an obverse which should have been struck on a copper nickel blank. The reverse is the New Zealand kowhai blossom designed by Reginald George James Berry known as James Berry who designed the reverses of all the new decimal coins of New Zealand, his initials JB appear on the coin. The obverse is the Arnold Machin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with the country of Bahama Islands instead of New Zealand. The date on a New Zealand coin should appear below the portrait but does not appear on the Bahamas obverse leaving the coin undated.

80,000 of these error coins -a late afternoon die run (Friday if I may postulate) were minted after a working die from a run of Bahama Islands 5c was left in the coining press and was not changed for an evening run of New Zealand coins at the Royal Mint at Tower Hill. Now new coins churn out of a press at a staggering rate but the error went unnoticed and the coins were packed and sent to Wellington, New Zealand to be distibuted at decimal changeover on 10th July 1967. Within hours of the new currency circulating the accidental pairing had been discovered.

The Royal Mint at Tower Hill in London had been minting coins since (circa) 1810 and was under tremendous load at the time minting coins for many different countries and ex-colonies some of which were moving to decimalisation. This included Australia when London minted new 5c, 10c and 20c for Australia's change to decimal currency in 1966. Their equipment was becoming tired and there was a shortage of staff and it has been suggested that the making of the New Zealand Bahamas mule was a deliberate industrial protest by workers and not a simple forgetful accident. They did manage through strong coincidence to strike these coins, send them away and release them into circulation without the error being detected.

Of the 80,000 coins struck 68,000 were withdrawn by New Zealand treasury when the mistake was found resulting in an estimated 6,000-12,000 coins in collectors hands. After all they are technically not legal tender new Zealand coins!

The Flanders Poppy was among the first plants to bloom on the battlefields of Northern France and Belgium after the devastating loss of life in World War 1. The poppys' vivid red colour becoming symbolic of this said to have come about from the blood of comrades soaked into the ground. Initially Armistice Day, the agreed ending of hostilities on November 11 1918 it was renamed Remembrance Day after WWII and honours those killed and wounded as we pause for a minutes' silence at 11am on this day each year.

Commemorating 11.11.11 a $5 coin was released by the Royal Australian Mint. The reverse depicts a pad printed red poppy flower with the shape of the coin following the petals rounded shape. This coin was struck on a scalloped hendecagonal shaped blank, a round edged 11 sided planchet! The reverse design is by Aaron Baggio. The obverse depicts a central portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley with "Remembrance Day 11.11.11 Five Dollars" around the legends. Struck onto a 38.74mm 20gram planchet made from Aluminium Zinc and Bronze it has a frosted uncirculated finish.

It was issued by the RAM in a collector card and jointly with Australia Post in this PNC shown front (above) and back (below). This PNC issue shown is limited to 15,000 and each is numbered on the back with a rrp (issue price) of $29.95. The PNC also features a 60c Remembrance Day stamp and is cancelled on the first day of issue 2.11.2011.

Australia Post also issued a limited edition of 1,111 PNC's with a red foil postmark for $39.95 where customers had to place an order over the phone from 12pm on Wednesday 30 November. The phone lines rang hot with extensive delays or engaged signal received by consumers, ourselves waiting 40 minutes on Thursday afternoon to secure one of these. By Friday afternoon an automated message advised that the limited PNC was now sold out.

The 19th edition of the Pocket Guide to Australian Coins and Banknotes by Greg McDonald is just about to hit the shelves again in full colour just in time for Christmas. It advertises new for this issue all Perth Mint mintage figures from 1986. This information is easily obtained as it has been published by the Perth Mint on their website.

In a shock move, the author Greg McDonald has announced that after the Perth Mint dramatically reduced their standard order for the 2012 edition pocketbook, he will, from the following edition (20th) remove Perth Mint products in a complete overhaul of the coin collectors "bible".

This overhaul, in removing the Perth mint legal tender coin issues will allow for expanded and new information on historical items such as early pre-decimal proofs, superscribed and pre-decimal specimen banknotes without adding size to the handy portable catalogue.

I'm in two minds about whether this will be a good or bad move for the pocketbook. On one hand I personally get minimal benefit from having Perth Mint products in the pocket guide and an expanded pre-decimal section would benefit me greatly. Although catalogue pricing on some issues often doesn't reflect buying prices or value. I find from chatting with collectors and seeing what they buy that there is continued and strong interest for NCLT decimal issues and not so much in pre-decimal coins. In this respect removing Perth Mint products from the pocket guide could see the author shooting himself in the foot.

What do other collectors think? Contact us at admin@australian-threepence.com.