Commemorating Army Centenary - 1 dollar 2001
By CAA | Monday, 17 June 2024
One March 5, 2001, Lieutenant General Peter Cosgrove showed a 1 dollar coin commemorating the Army's 100th birthday, at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra. This coin was produced to raise awareness of the bravery and sacrifices of the Army's servicemen and women over the last century.
One of the 3 coins struck by was used to raise money at a charity auction. The remaining two: one each for the Army's and Mint's archives.
During 2001, the Australian Army celebrates 100 years of service. Over the last century it has played an important role in forging the national identity. The force has earned an enviable reputation internationally, participating in both World Wars and numerous other deployments.
For the past 100 years our servicemen and women have displayed exceptional devotion and sacrifice to the people of our nation, and other regions of the world. As we all know, coins last a long time, so to have the Army represented on their surface ensures that the memory of our effort survives.
- Lieutenant General Peter Cosgrove
The 1 dollar fine silver proof coin release price was $32.31. An aluminium bronze version, costing $2.17, was also available, with a small letter 'C' struck into the design, denoting the striking location as Canberra. Some other aluminium bronze coins were struck with a 'S' and were made at the Sydney Mint.
The $1 Army coins were purchased from the Royal Australian Mint, selected Australia Post outlets and coin dealers.
None were made for circulation purpose.
Reverse Design
The 'Rising Sun' badge and the words 'The Australian Army' appear on the coin. Acknowledging the 100th anniversary are the dates '1901-2001' underneath the crest and 'Centenary of the Army' above. Written in words, not numbers as per the standard design, is 'One Dollar'.
Specifications (Silver)
- Composition: Silver
- Weight: 11.66 g
- Mintage: 17,839
Specifications (Aluminum Bronze)
- Composition: Aluminum-Bronze
- Weight: 9 g
- Diameter: 25 mm
- Mintage: 125,186 (C), 38,095 (S)
