2022-08-19 Fri

Australia celebrates a milestone in communication technology with a new aluminum-bronze dollar issued on 3rd August. To mark the 150th anniversary of the first telegraph being sent from Australia, the Royal Australian Mint released a 1 Dollar coin.

As described by Historian Derek Pugh, the Overland Telegraph Line was the internet of the day, allowing rapid communication with the world. The 1872 opening of the Overland Telegraph connected Australia with the rest of the world, making electronic communication to London within seven hours a daily occurrence. The isolation of Australia diminished and life in Australia was changed forever.

The reverse side of the coin is designed by Royal Australian Mint artist Stevan Stojanovic and features the names of the original thirteen cities and towns on the Overland Telegraph Line. Also included is the in Morse code under the map of the Australian continent. The anniversary dates of the Telegraph Line, 1872 and 2022, are also written in Morse code and placed just above the centre design. Also placed above and below the design is the commemorative text 150th Anniversary and The Overland Telegraph Line.

The obverse side depicts the commonwealth effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II along with the year of release 2022 and the denomination of ONE DOLLAR placed below the Queen’s likeness.

Image Courtesy: news.coinupdate.com