2016-03-10 Thu

On 9th March in 1959, the first Barbie doll was displayed at the American Toy Fair in New York City. Barbie’s appearance was modelled on a doll named Lilli, based on a German comic strip character. Barbie was introduced by Ruth Handler, who co-founded Mattel, Inc. with her husband in 1945.

Later Mattel, Inc. bought the rights to Lilli and made its own version, which Ruth Handler named after her daughter, Barbara. br>
In 2009, Barbie turned 50 and to commemorate the half-century of most demanded doll of the entire world, Perth mint Australia released a commemorative coin in 99.9% pure silver and is issued as legal tender from the government of Tuvalu.

The reverse of the coin features classic images of Barbie with highlights coloured in pink, as well as a 50th Anniversary logo and the Perth Mint’s "P" mintmark. The obverse depicts a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the year 2009.