Accession of Queen Elizabeth II - 1952-2002 Commemorative Coins
By CAA | Thursday, 22 August 2024
The Royal Australian Mint announced new proof coins in January 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Accession of Elizabeth II to the throne in 1952.
February 6, 2002 marked the 50th anniversary, or Golden Jubilee, of the Accession. It followed the death of her father King George Vl while the Princess and her husband, Prince Phillip, were in Kenya at the commencement of a tour of the British Commonwealth. This tour, which was to include Australia and New Zealand, was being undertaken on behalf of the King who was gravely ill at the time.
Silver 50 cents 2002
A the twelve-sided (dodecagonal) pure silver 50 cents coin designed by Peter Soobik and depicts St Edward's Crown, Australia's Federation Star, the denomination and Royal Ciphers intersected by the words Elizabeth, Accession and Fiftieth Anniversary in a quaternary design.
St Edward's Crown is the crown first used for the coronation of Charles II in 1661 and used in most coronations since that time, including that of Queen Elizabeth II. The Federation Star, a symbol of Australia's federal system of government, also appears on the national flag. The seven points of the Star represent Australia's States and Territories. The well-known Royal Ciphers of Queen Elizabeth II as reigning monarch, 'EIIR' and that of King George Vl, 'George VI', acknowledge the succession to the throne by Her Majesty.
Specifications
- Composition: Silver 99.9%
- Weight: 18.24 g
- Diameter: 31.51 mm
- Finish: Proof
Gold 100 dollars 2002
A 1oz pure gold coin with a face value of $100. The reverse depicts a ghosted profile of King George Vl facing an image of the new Queen in a symbolic representation of the transfer of Sovereignty, represented by the Royal Crown between the images, from the recently deceased King to the new Queen. The design was created by Peter Soobik of Orange New South Wales and modelled by Mint sculptor Vladimir Gottwald.
Specifications
- Composition: Gold 99.99%
- Weight: 31.1036 g
- Diameter: 34 mm
- Finish: Proof
These two coins were housed in red velvet cases with replica crowns affixed to the outside of the lid. There was a two coin set comprised of the gold and the silver coins. Just 2002 of these sets were produced costing $1295.00 per set. In addition, 17,500 single silver coins, each in individual presentation cases, were released costing $60.00 each.
Cupronickel 50 cents 2002
A 50 cents base metal coin with the silver coin design was released later in 2002.
Specifications
- Composition: Cupronickel
- Weight: 15.55 g
- Diameter: 31.5 mm
50 cents 2002 price guide and values
