2019-07-01 Mon

On 28th June, Australia released a new coin to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Treaty of Versailles. It features an allegorical figure of Peace with extended arms, wearing a free-flowing dress, two doves flying in the background, a chained man in the left and a man breaking his shackles on the right. The design is inspired by the ‘Peace Medal – Triumph of Liberty & Justice’ that was issued to Australian schoolchildren after the First World War.

The Treaty was signed in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles on 28th June 1919, after which the country got a full national status as the Commonwealth of Australia. It was a part of the Paris Peace Conference and 32 countries accepted it including Billy Hughes, the then Prime Minister of Australia. It was the first political treaty signed by Australian officials to stabilise the situation after World War I. It marked Australia’s independence under international law, and the country became a founding member of the new League of Nations.

The Uncirculated version has a face value of $1 while the silver proof version has a face value of $5. The Uncirculated version has a mintage limit of 20,000 pieces and can be purchased for $15.00 AUD while the fine silver Proof version has a mintage limit of 2,000 and can be purchased for $100.

Image Courtesy: The Royal Australian Mint