Australia 1977 50 cents

a typical circulated specimen, from the Mountain Groan Collection

In 1966, Australia abandoned the sterling coinage she had used since the days of Captain Cook and adopted the decimal dollar and cent. This fifty cent piece was struck in 1977 in honor of the 25th year of queen Elizabeth's reign. Coinage production, formerly divided among the Sydney, Perth and Melbourne mints, is now concentrated at the Canberra Mint. The Perth mint still produces collector coins.

Recorded mintage: 25,076,000 plus 55,000 proofs.

Specification: 15.55 g, copper-nickel, 12-sided, 31.5 mm diameter, designed by Arnold Machin.

Catalog reference: KM 70.

Source:

• McDonald, Greg, The Pocket Guide to Australian Coins and Banknotes, 23rd ed., Lavington, Australia, 2017.
• Pitt, Michael, Renniks Australian Coin and Banknote Values, 32nd Edition, Matraville, New South Wales, Australia: Renniks Publications, 2023.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.

Link to:

• Great Britain 1977 25 pence, silver jubilee of queen Elizabeth's reign
• 1979 50 cents
• Coins and currency dated 1977
• return to coins of Australia