50 cents 2006 - Royal Visit and Royal Birthday
By CAA | Tuesday, 7 January 2025
In 2006, the Royal Australian Mint celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Australia to open the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and Her Majesty's 80th birthday by releasing coins on February 10.
The 50 cents coins were designed by Mr Stuart Devlin, who was granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment as Goldsmith and Jeweller to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1982.
The designs features both the Royal Visit and the Royal Birthday. The Royal Visit coin represents the stability of the Crown contrasted with the rapid growth of Australia, whilst the birthday coin symbolises the strong link between the United Kingdom and Australia in celebrating Her Majesty's 80th birthday.
Uncirculated coins
These coins were sold in coloured folder for $4.95.
Royal Visit
Royal Birthday
Specifications
- Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Weight: 15.55 g
- Diameter: 31.5 mm
- Obverse: Ian Rank Broadley
- Reverse: Stuart Devlin
Proof coins
These gold plated (partial gilt) coins were in a wooden case fitted with striking black lining called the Royal Collection Selectively Gold Plated Twin Coin Pack.
Royal Visit
Royal Birthday
Specifications
- Composition: Gold-plated silver
- Weight: 18.24 g
- Obverse: Ian Rank Broadley
- Reverse: Stuart Devlin
The Royal collection that the Mint has created will present all Australians with the opportunity to secure a precious keepsake of the Queen's Visit to Australia, and Her Majesty's 80th Birthday.
- Chris Pearce MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer
2006 Royal Visit program
Sunday 12 March 2006
Canberra
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive Canberra
Monday 13 March 2006
Canberra and Sydney
Ceremonial Welcome, Sydney Opera House, Observance of Commonwealth Day, St Andrews Cathedral, Commonwealth Day Reception, Admiralty House
Tuesday 14 March 2006
Canberra
The Queen receives the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, Presentation of Commemorative Coins by the Royal Australian Mint and Tree planting ceremony at the Government House
Wednesday 15 March 2006
Canberra and Melbourne
Luncheon given by the Prime Minister and Mrs Howard on the occasion of the Commonwealth Games and The Queen opens XVIII Commonwealth Games
Thursday 16 March 2006
Melbourne
Presentations – views Commonwealth Games, Sports and Aquatic Centre, Tour Athletes’ Village, Tour of Polyclinic and Luncheon with athletes
The first visit to Australia by a reigning monarch took place in 1954. The Queen opened Parliament in Canberra for the first time, wearing the gown she had worn for her Coronation the previous year.
The advent of air travel has made more frequent visits possible, although for many of them the Queen based herself on the Royal Yacht Britannia to travel around the country.
- During her 1963 visit, The Queen made a unique broadcast to people in remote communities over the Flying Doctor network in Alice Springs.
- In 1970 The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh joined in the celebrations marking Lieutenant James Cook's discovery of Australia 200 years earlier. They were accompanied on this occasion by Princess Anne and, for part of the time, by The Prince of Wales.
- In 1973, The Queen opened the landmark Sydney Opera House, an event which attracted world-wide attention.
- Australia also figured prominently in the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977, in which she visited every state during a three-week tour.
- The Queen and The Duke toured Australia again in 1980 and 1981, to coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Melbourne.
- In 1982 they attended the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.
- In 1988 The Queen took part in Australia's bicentenary celebrations, travelling extensively across the nation, and opening the new Parliament House in Canberra. The same year also saw a tour by The Prince and Princess of Wales during January and February, and a visit by The Princess Royal.
- In 2003, the Queen acknowledged the huge debt owed to Australian servicemen and women in two world wars by opening the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner in London.
The Queen has visited Australia on 16 occasions. Elizabeth's 11-day visit to Australia in October 2011 was her 16th and last visit to the country (1954, 1963, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2002, 2006 and 2011.).
In 16 visits, The Queen has celebrated all aspects of Australian culture and life, from sheep farms to natural wonders such as the Great Barrier Reef, and from the triumph of Olympic and Commonwealth sporting meetings to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and tradition.
- The Royal Household
In 2000, a 50-cent coin was released into general circulation to commemorate the Royal Visit in March 2000.
