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Image Not Available for One dollar coin commemorating 90th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy, 1911-2001
One dollar coin commemorating 90th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy, 1911-2001
Image Not Available for One dollar coin commemorating 90th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy, 1911-2001

One dollar coin commemorating 90th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy, 1911-2001

Manufacturer
Date2001
Object number00034271
NameCoin
MediumAluminium bronze
DimensionsOverall: 68 x 148 mm, 1 mm
ClassificationsCoins and medals
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the Royal Australian Navy, HMAS WATERHEN
DescriptionThis aluminium bronze $1 coin was produced in 2001 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Australian Navy and "pays tribute to the many Australians, past and present, who have served their country".HistoryAfter the Federation of Australia in 1901, the Commonwealth Naval Forces was formed by amalgamating the six separate colonial navies. The Commonwealth government, however, paid for the Royal Navy to continue providing naval defence. On 10 July 1911, King George V gave his approval for the Commonwealth Naval Forces to be called the Royal Australian Navy, and for RAN ships to carry the prefix HMAS, His Majesty's Australian Ship. More than 62,000 of these coins were minted by the Royal Australian Mint. The obverse features the head of Queen Elizabeth II, from a portrait by Ian Rank-Bradley; the reverse was sculpted by Vladimir Gottwald and shows the RAN badge surrounded by the legend Royal Australian Navy 1911-2001. This badge was adopted in 1949 and features the Royal Crown above a rope surround; with an upright stockless anchor and Federation star below. The coin is packaged in a commemorative sleeve with details of the minting, a brief history of the RAN and two images, one of HMAS BRISBANE departing Sydney in 1990 for the Gulf War; the other Able Seaman Bain sounding action stations on HMAS HOBART, 1945. The coin is uncirculated; produced for the commemorative market only. SignificanceThis coin's significance lies in its recognition of 90 years of service by the Royal Australian Navy in the defence of Australia.