The Story
The Royal Australian Mint’s annual currency set in 1985 was the very first to feature seven Australian decimal coins – and the first to include coins bearing the then new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by noted sculptor Raphael Maklouf.
Maklouf was among seventeen artists from Britain and the Commonwealth invited to submit a design for a new effigy to grace the coinage in a variety of Commonwealth countries. His design portrayed the Queen wearing the royal diadem traditionally employed for the State Opening of Parliament. The portrait is ‘couped’ – cut off at the neck – and also carries the Maklouf ’s initials, RDM, with the middle initial included to avoid any confusion with the Royal Mint. In response to critics who thought he had created a flatteringly young portrait of the Queen, Maklouf stated that his intention was to “create a symbol, regal and ageless”. This outstanding obverse design would be employed on Australian coinage until 1998.
The 1985 Mint Set was also notable as the first 7-coin Australian Mint Set – due to the inclusion of the $1 coin. The Australian one dollar coin had been launched in 1984, but was released too late to be included in the 1984 Mint Set. Thus, the 1985 Mint Set was the very first annual issue to feature the new coinage denomination. The set was also notable for the 1985 5c, which was not issued for circulation and will never be found in change. The set is also sought after for the 1985 10c, 20c and 50c, which are among the lowest mintage circulating decimal issues.
Description
The Royal Australian Mint’s annual currency set in 1985 was the very first to feature seven Australian decimal coins – and the first to include coins bearing the then new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by noted sculptor Raphael Maklouf.
Maklouf was among seventeen artists from Britain and the Commonwealth invited to submit a design for a new effigy to grace the coinage in a variety of Commonwealth countries. His design portrayed the Queen wearing the royal diadem traditionally employed for the State Opening of Parliament. The portrait is ‘couped’ – cut off at the neck – and also carries the Maklouf ’s initials, RDM, with the middle initial included to avoid any confusion with the Royal Mint. In response to critics who thought he had created a flatteringly young portrait of the Queen, Maklouf stated that his intention was to “create a symbol, regal and ageless”. This outstanding obverse design would be employed on Australian coinage until 1998.
The 1985 Mint Set was also notable as the first 7-coin Australian Mint Set – due to the inclusion of the $1 coin. The Australian one dollar coin had been launched in 1984, but was released too late to be included in the 1984 Mint Set. Thus, the 1985 Mint Set was the very first annual issue to feature the new coinage denomination. The set was also notable for the 1985 5c, which was not issued for circulation and will never be found in change. The set is also sought after for the 1985 10c, 20c and 50c, which are among the lowest mintage circulating decimal issues.
