Australia 1997 50 cents

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 bust of the queen was used 1985-97 and revived in 2019. This date is common, tho none were struck for circulation in 1986-95. The reverse features the Australian arms.

Recorded mintage: 4,337,200 plus 142,078 for collector sets (BU plus proofs).

Specification: 15.55 g, copper-nickel, 31.5 mm diameter, dodecagonal, plain edge.

Catalog reference: KM 80.

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:

• 1986 50 cents
• 1997 5 cents
• 1997 10 cents
• 1997 20 cents
• 1997 dollar, kookaburra, 1 oz silver
• 1997 dollar, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith
• 1997 2 dollars, aborigine
• 1997 30 dollars, kookaburra, 1 kg silver
• 1997 40 dollars, emu, 1 oz palladium
• Coins and currency dated 1997