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Type II

1991

The 1991 decimal coinage, or Royal Australian Mint, fifty cent was issued to commemorate 25 years since the introduction of decimal currency. Just shy of 5 million pieces were produced for circulation and the coins were not distributed in mint rolls making top grade circulation strikes rare. The 1991 masterpieces in silver set also featured this coin struck in sterling silver. The reverse was designed by Horst Hahne and shows the artists impression of a ram which are also the initials of the mint that produced it. It also contains the legend 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF DECIMAL CURRENCY FIFTY CENTS. The obverse features the traditional Raphael Maklouf portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II, right-facing, crowned with necklace and earrings. It also contains the legend ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1991.

Celebrating 25 years of decimal coinage, Australia can be proud of the achievement. It was first introduced on the 14th February1966. Decimalisation is the term used to describe the change that from the traditional denomination to a decimal currency, a system that all but two of the world currencies now employ. In Australia, there was much debate about naming the new currency with over one thousand suggestions. Eventually the dollar came into existence and it has been used to this day. Forgeries were soon in circulation and work was underway at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation to produce a new material to curb the problem. The Royal Australian Mint in Canberra produces the coins and can reach 2 million per day.

Currency in equivalent units of base 10The tails side of the coinThe inscription around the inner edge of the coinThe heads side of the coin
 MintageAU50AU55AU58MS64MS65MS66MS67MS68MS691991 4,852,300202121283954813001,000 MintagePR65DCAMPR66DCAMPR67DCAMPR68DCAMPR69DCAMPR70DCAM1991 Proof41,5909294981101204101991 Silver Proof25,0009092949698280Values are in AUD and are retail price estimations based on past sales of coins certified by PCGS or NGC and as such values only related to such graded coins. Uncertified coins or coins graded by other services would likely be worth significantly less. For wholesale pricing please refer to the Red Sheet. While all attempts to ensure accurate pricing, data entry errors can occur and as such no warranty is expressed or implied as to the accuracy of any information published on this website. It is important to verify all published sales to ensure the accuracy of the pricing when making any purchase decision. Any personal information provided to us is protected by the Privacy Act 1988.