50 years of the 50 cent coin: The Royal Australian mint releases special collectors edition to mark anniversary
The Royal Australian Mint has issued a commemorative 50 cent coin to mark the 50-cent piece’s five decades of circulation.
The coin, which is a “dodecagon” shape with 12 sides was first minted back in 1969 and has since become a favourite for coin collectors.
Royal Australian Mint CEO Ross MacDiarmid told Nine Finance about the coin.
"It’s the coin that has launched many into a world of coin collecting,” he said.
“This year Australia commemorates the 50th anniversary of Australia’s most distinctive decimal coin. The most iconic for its unusual shape."
A round 50-cent coin was made from silver and introduced back in 1966, but two years later was taken out of circulation due to the rising prices of silver.
In September 1969, the 12-sided coin we know now was reintroduced and was made from copper-nickel alloy.
The anniversary coins, which has featured five different effigies of the Queen and a number of commemorative designs, are legal tender and are available from the Royal Australian Mint’s website.