Australian Fifty Cent Coins
The fifty cent coin was first introduced with decimal currency on 14 February 1966. The original design featured the Commonwealth Coat of Arms struck on a coin made from 80% silver. However as the silver price rose above the face value of the coin the Mint suspended striking of the coin in March 1968.
Although it was rumoured that the Mint had lost money striking the fifty cent, all the metal used in the manufacture of the 36.5 million coins produced was purchased before the price rises.
Apart from the uneconomic cost of continuing the issue of the silver fifty cent coins, increasing confusion arose regarding the similarity in sizes between the circular fifty cent and the twenty cent coin. The decision to reissue a fifty cent coin considered not only a change to materials but also different shapes to help solve the confusion with the twenty cents.
A new shape and alloy was reintroduced into circulation in September 1969.
This denomination has since been used for commemorative designs.
Nominal specifications
1966 |
1969 - present |
Composition: 80% Silver - 20 % Copper |
Composition: 75% Copper - 25% Nickel |
Shape: Circular |
Shape: Dodecagonal |
Edge: Milled |
Edge: Plain |
Mass: 13.28 grams |
Mass: 15.55 grams |
Diameter: 31.65 millimetres |
Diameter: 31.65 millimetres (across flats) |
1970 Australian Captain Cook 50 Cent Coin
Details Commemorative fifty cent coin featuring a bust of James Cook facing three-quarters right; the date 1770 and Cook's signature accross th.....
2003 1/2oz Silver Proof Kookaburra coin
Presented in an attractive black presentation case, this legal tender coin is the second in the Perth Mint’s ½ oz square shaped coin.....
1975 Australian 50 cent Uncirculated Coin
Details In uncirculated condition. Please note that the coin has been scanned in it's 2 x 2 coin holder Composition - 75% copper, 25% nic.....
1988 Bicentennial Uncirculated 50 cent Coin
Issued by the Royal Australian Mint to commemorate the Bicentennial of Austtralia.The reverse, by Mike Tracey, depicts a grand square rigged ve.....
2003 Golden Jubilee of Coronation of QE11 - PNC
Issued on the 2nd June 2003 Metal: 92% copper; 6% aluminium; 2% nickel Joint issue of Australia Post and The Royal Australian Mint .....
2006 50 Cent QE11 Royal Visit Uncirculated Coin
Details 2006 50 cent QE11 Royal Visit Uncirculated Coin Denomination 50 Cents Metal Cupro-Nickel Mass.....
2012 Australian Sea Life II - The Reef - Surgeonfish 1/2oz Silver Proof Coin
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2012 Australian Sea Life II – The Reef – Octopus 1/2oz Silver Proof Coin
Details The coin is struck by The Perth Mint from 1/2oz of 99.9% silver in proof quality and is the 4th in a series of 5 to be released. The coi.....
2013 Centenary of Canberra PNC
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2014 AB "Banjo" Paterson PNC
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2014 Centenary of Sydney/Emden Engagement PNC
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2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 50c Gold Plated Coin
Details This keepsake of the XXI Commonwealth Games celebrates everything that Australia has to share with the world during the eleven days of spor.....