2019-11-23 Sat

Australia has a new circulating colorful commemorative $2 coin, to mark the repatriation of soldiers and nurses after World War I. The coin entered circulation on April 8, 2019.

Beginning in 1919 the Repatriation Department began to facilitate the safe return of tens of thousands of service people. The Department provided war pensions, a soldier settlement scheme, and other vital services such as healthcare, education, housing, and official commemorations.

Several different First World War Returned from Active Service badges were issued to returning Australian forces from 1914 through 1919; one badge depicts the St. Edward’s Crown with the rising sun, below which is a scroll with the text AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES.

The center of the coin depicts a graphic element taken from First World War Returned from Active Service badges. A badge on the coin symbolically marks the commencement of that repatriation. The badge on the coin is framed by a circular color print of black rays and red and black petal motifs.

The rays, inspired by the iconic Rising Sun element of one WWI service badge, represent the journey home of Australian service personnel over the last 100 years. The eight petals symbolize the six states and two territories of Australia and also represent the Flanders Field poppy, an iconic symbol of remembrance.

Image Courtesy: https://www.coinworld.com/