2017-05-03 Wed

In 2009 Australia released coins to celebrate itself. These Celebrate Australia $1 coins are aimed at collectors, international visitors, and Australians who wish to rejoice in the marvels of their spectacular surroundings. Each coin is housed on an eye-catching presentation card which has a fold-out stand for upright display.

They are part of a delightful series celebrating Australia’s eight mainland States and Territories: New South Wales ( NSW ), Victoria ( VIC ), Queensland ( QLD ), Tasmania ( TAS ), South Australia ( SA ), Western Australia ( WA ), the Northern Territory ( NT ) and Australian Capital Territory ( ACT ).

They weigh 13.3 grams with a diameter of 30.6 mm and a thickness of 3.1 mm. On the obverse of these coins is the bust of Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “2009”. The reverse of these coins have flora and fauna emblems depending on the state or territory it belongs to.

New South Wales: A colored composition of the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge, images of a koala and Waratah.

Tasmania: A colored composition of Cradle Mountain and the icy waters of Lake Dove, image of a Tasmanian Devil and the flowers of Tasmanian Bluegum.

Northern Territory: A colored composition symbolizing world heritage listed areas of the NT’s landscape, image of a crocodile and Sturt’s Desert Rose.

Victoria: A colored composition of Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station and an iconic tram, image of a little Penguin and Common Heath.

Queensland: A colored composition of the Gold Coast and a coral reef, image of a sea turtle and a Cooktown Orchid.

South Australia: A colored composition featuring St Peter’s Cathedral in Adelaide, image of a hairy-nosed wombat and Sturt’s Desert Pea.

Western Australia: A colored composition featuring the Perth city skyline and the Swan River, image of a kangaroo and a Red and Green Kangaroo Paw.

Australian Capital Territory: A colored illustration of Australia’s Parliament House, image of a Royal Bluebell, and a Gang-gang Cockatoo.