It's hard to believe that this blog has had 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 posts about Australian commemorative coins. But I think we're near the end of the line. On Christmas morning I was treated to an easter egg hunt around the house of all the 50 cent pieces I hadn't yet found. Some are hard to come by, such as
The 1970 celebration of 200 years since captain Cook was the first recorded European to encounter the eastern coast of Australia. Apparently the one who got big fame out of the trip was English Botanist Joseph Banks. He is most famous in our circles as being a great answer to any Botanist question at pub quiz.
1988 First Fleet Bicentenary. The map reads New Holland. The stars are the southern cross. 18 years after Cook landed, the first settlers arrived at Botany Bay. Or rather, first convicts arrived. 1,403 people set out, 1,332 arrived including 18 children convicts (!), 4 of which were born en route (!!) during the 8 month journey. They arrived on 26 January, just in time for Australia Day.
Again with the Royalty! This is the flagpole at Parliament House. The queen visited in 2000.
And then there's this oddball. A Merino Ram's head graces this 1991 celebration of the 25th anniversary of ... Decimal Currency. Before then, they used the shilling. For almost 30 years, the Merino Ram was on the back of the Australian shilling, as a symbol of domestic agriculture. A pound is like the dollar. A shilling is 1/20 of a pound. A penny is 1/12th of a shilling. Totally makes sense, that.
Interesting topic of conversation Kitty. My Grandfather collected a series of 50 cent pieces before his passing many years ago for myself and my 2 brothers.
ReplyDeleteI haven't looked at these coins for many years and now this blog topic has made me think and wonder exactly where I have these coins and what years are missing in my collection.
I do know that all of the 50 cents pieces mentioned here I have in my collection also.
So, I will now have to search for these coins, as it will be playing with my mind until I find them !