The 6th of February 2002 marked the 50th anniversary, or Golden Jubilee of the Accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll to the Throne in 1952. The Royal Australian Mint released a copper-nickel 50 cents - in a Philatelic Numismatic Cover together with Australia Post - postmarked February 6th 2002. The design was originally intended for circulation but this decision was overruled after advice form the Treasury that there were enough 50-cent pieces already in circulation. Consequently, no coins of this type were released into circulation.
The obverse shows the head of Queen Elizabeth II. This effigy of the Queen is known as the "Fourth Portrait". The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from her Majesty's grandmother, Queen Mary in 1947. This crown is also worn by the Queen in the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.
In tiny letters below the head, the artist's Ian Rank-Broadley's initials IRB.
Around the effigy is the legend and year date: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2002.
The reverse depicts St Edward's Crown, Australia's Federation Star, the dates 2002 and 1952, the denomination 50 [cents] and Royal Ciphers EIIR (for Elizabeth II Regina - Queen Elizabeth the Second) and GEORGE VI intersected by the words ELIZABETH ACCESSION and FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY in a quaternary design.
St Edward's Crown is a symbol of the Queen and Her Majesty's role as Australia's Head of State. This crown was first used for the coronation of Charles II in 1661 and used in most coronations since that time, including that of Queen Elizabeth II.
The seven-pointed Federation Star is a symbol of Australia's federal system of government, and appears on the national flag. The seven points of the Star represent the six Australian States and Territories.
