AUSTRALIAN VICTORIA CROSS COMMEMORATIVE COINS

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V17 2014 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 17, Number 18, April 27, 2014, Article 19

Michael Zielinski has a nice article on the World Mint News Blog about the new Australian Victoria Cross coin. We've often discussed the "VC", a rare and important military honor. This interesting coin highlights the medal and also honors individual Australian VC recipients. -Editor

The Royal Australian Mint has launched coins which honor the Australian recipients of the Victoria Cross. A frosted uncirculated silver coin carries a mintage of 30,000 pieces, while a larger sized copper coin with a mintage of 5,000 is offered via ballot.

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valor “in the face of the enemy” to members of the armed forces of the Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. It was introduced on January 29, 1856 by Queen Victoria to honor acts of valor during the Crimean War. The VC takes precedence over all other orders, decorations, and medals and may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service as well as to civilians under military command. There have been 100 Australians who were awarded the Victoria Cross throughout its history.

The $5 silver coin features a depiction of the Victoria Cross, which consists of a bronze cross pattée with Crown and Lion superimposed and the motto “For Valour”. A surrounding inscription contains the words “The Victoria Cross For Australia”. The obverse of the coin contains the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II with the denomination of “5 Dollars” and the “2014″ date.

The Royal Australian Mint is also offering a $10 copper coin with an antique finish to replicate the appearance of the actual medal. The reverse design features a depiction of the Victoria Cross, which is surrounded by the names of the 100 Australian recipients. The Mint used micro text, an innovative technical minting process, to include the names of the recipients.

These coins are struck in copper with a wide diameter of 57 mm. The mintage is only 5,000 pieces.

With so many crappy commemorative coins flooding the marketplace, it's a delight to see a classy one like this. The micro lettering is an interesting and appropriate design element. While I generally hate "wordy" coins, this is different - an ideal way to honor the recipients. -Editor

To read the complete article, see: 2014 Victoria Cross for Australia Coins (world.mintnewsblog.com/2014/04/2014-victoria-cross-for-australia-coins/)

Wayne Homren, Editor