February 2006 Number 65

Welcome to another exciting year of coin releases from the Royal Australian Mint. I trust you all had a safe and happy holiday season and are ready for 2006!

Mint Issue 65, introduces the Royal Coins and our Mintmark series for 2006 and provides a last opportunity for all Collectors to purchase the exciting range of offi cial collectible coins for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

You will also have the fi rst opportunity to purchase the exquisite 2006 Fine Silver Proof Year Set. This year the set is produced with very unique obverses making it highly collectible and even more beautiful. This product has long been a favourite of mine and I know a number of collectors also eagerly await its release each year.

It was a pleasure to work with Mr Stuart Devlin, Royal Warrant appointed goldsmith and jeweller to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Mr Devlin has produced two superb designs for our 50c piece which look even more magnifi cent with selective gold plating and framed in rich Australian wood cases. Royal memento collectors won’t hesitate on these sets I am sure.

All our offi cial Melbourne 2006 collectible coins are released now and the excitement of the Games is really building. Collectors quick off the mark were wise to snap up the Kilo Coin and savvy collectors can still secure the Three Coin Set with the impressive tri-colour coin if they are quick.

Enjoy this issue and watch your letter boxes again soon for your invitation to purchase the 2006 Subscription Coin – this year’s design is very impressive.

Happy collecting,

Vivienne Thom

Controller

Royal Australian Mint

Dear Collector

coins shown actual size

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Nominal Specifications

Denomination 1c 2c 5c 10c 20c 50c $1 $2

Mass 2.93 6.03 3.24 g 6.57 g 13.36 g 13.70 g 11.66 g 8.55 g

Diameter 17.53 21.59 19.41 mm 23.60 mm 28.52 mm 31.51 mm 25.00 mm 20.50 mm

Metal: Fine Silver (99.9%) Finish: Proof Mintage: 6500

Coins not shown actual size

Collect the 2006 Year Set in stunning Fine Silver and own coins like no other!

This year, and for the first time, the Fine Silver Year Set features the original Arnold Machin effigy of the Queen. This obverse design was first seen in 1966 on Australia’s new currency.

The coins, bearing this special obverse, are only available in the 2006 Fine Silver Year Set and make this set the most unique and sought after of all the Fine Silver Year Sets released by the Royal Australian Mint.

The reverse of these brilliant silver proof coins carry the images that featured on Australia’s first decimal coins. These coins and their images are world

renowned and in produced in 99.9% fine silver are a fitting tribute to the 40th anniversary of decimalisation and a significant time in Australian history.

F i n e S i l v e r Pr o o f2 0 0 6 Y e a r S e t

4 0 t h A n n i v e r s a r y o f D e c i m a l i s a t i o n

Price (inc GST): $230.00 801630

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2006 Royal Collection 50c Selectively Gold Plated Silver Proof CoinsOnly 7500 selectively gold plated silver twin coin sets will be produced to commemorate the Queen’s 80th Birthday and her momentous visit to Australia in March 2006. Th ese coin sets are magnifi cently presented in a rich wooden case fi tted with a striking black lining.

Th e Birthday Coin is sparkling and celebratory and the Royal Visit Coin represents the stability of the Crown contrasted with the rapid growth of Australia. Th is symbolism was approved by the Queen and masterfully designed by her appointed goldsmith and jeweller Mr Stuart Devlin.

Order early to secure this remarkable set.

Price: $145.00 (inc GST) plus P&H.

Product Code: 800013

2 x 50c, Ag 99.9%, 18.24 g, 31.51 mm,

Selectively Gold Plated, Proof, 7500, S. Devlin

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2006 Queen's Birthday 50c Uncirculated CoinTh is special 50c piece was designed by Mr Stuart Devlin, goldsmith and jeweller to her majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Th e design for the Birthday Coin represents the strong link between the United Kingdom and Australia and marks the Queen’s 80th Birthday.

Price: $4.95 (inc GST) plus P&H.

Product Code: 800014

50c, Cupro-nickel, 15.55 g, 31.51 mm,

Uncirculated, S. Devlin

2006 Royal Visit 50c Uncirculated CoinAlso designed by Mr Stuart Devlin is the 50c piece commemorating the visit of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to Australia, where she will open the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games in March.

Both of these beautiful coins are fi nished to uncirculated standard and presented in a regally coloured card. Two very aff ordable mementos of two very special occasions.

Price: $4.95 (inc GST) plus P&H.

Product Code: 800016

50c, Cupro-nickel, 15.55 g, 31.51 mm,

Uncirculated, S. Devlin

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2006 $1 Silver Proof Coin50 Years of Australian Television

On the evening of September 16, 1956, crowds gathered outside department stores and in homes across Australia to witness the moment TCN Channel Nine fl ickered to life accompanied by the famous phrase “Welcome to Television”.

It has been 50 years since Bruce Gyngell uttered those words and Australian TV appeared. Television linked Australia to the world and brought us closer to amazing images like seeing man walk on the moon.

This special $1 silver proof coin commemorates 50 Years of Australian Television and will be popular among the seasoned collectors and people of all ages new to the past time of coin collecting. The fi ne silver proof coin is highly collectible at $38.00 and goes extremely well with a set of all the 2006 mint mark coins bearing the same design.

Price: $38.00 (inc GST) plus P&H. Product Code: 800996

$1, Ag 99.9%, 11.66 g, 25.00 mm, Proof, 12,500, V. Gottwald

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2006 $1 Mintmark Coin50 Years of Australian Television

The theme for the popular mintmark series in 2006 is 50 Years of Australian Television and the fi rst appearance in the series is the ‘C’ for Canberra mintmark.

Television sets cost three times the average monthly wage 50 years ago, but you can be a part of Australian Television history for only $2.75.

The $1 ‘C’ Mintmark is presented in traditional mintmark packaging of a card display wallet and has a small letter ‘C’ stamped into the face of the reverse featuring the simple and striking design produced by Mint designer Vladimir Gottwald.

This year as well as releasing the ‘B’, ‘S’ and ‘M’ mintmark coins, the Royal Australian Mint will release a special ‘TV’ mintmark. Stay tuned for details

Price: $2.75 (inc GST) plus P&H. Product Code: 800997

$1, Al/Bronze, 9.00 g, 25.00 mm, Uncirculated, V. Gottwald

Camera image sourced from the National Film and Sound ArchiveTelevision image sourced from the family of Igor Grebenschikoff

YEARS OF

AUSTRALIAN

TELEVISION

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Australian coins are highly sought after around the world and have a reputation to be proud of.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of decimalisation, the Royal Australian Mint has released a 2006 Eight Coin Uncirculated Set that carries on the tradition of fi nely crafted original coins.

Celebrating Australia’s unique heritage, the set includes 1 cent, 2 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, 50 cent, $1, and $2 coins. Unlike the Proof Set, which features a round 50c coin (for the fi rst time since 1966), this set offers the 50 cent coin in dodecagonal form.

The Mint expects both the Proof Set and Uncirculated Set to be highly sought after by collectors, so be quick to secure your piece of Australian history.

2006 Eight Coin Uncirculated Set

Price (inc GST): Unc - $23.50 801350

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Price (inc GST): Proof - $80.00 801420

The Royal Australian Mint is proud to launch its new 2006 Eight Coin Proof Set that celebrates the 40th anniversary of Australia’s decimal currency.

The Mint has created a collection that pays a memorable tribute to the history of decimalisation, with brilliantly crafted coins that capture the beauty of yesterday and today.

Possibly the most exciting piece in the collection will be the 50 cent coin appearing in its original round form for the fi rst time since 1966. Designed by Stuart Devlin, it is minted with a metal content of 80 per cent silver.

Two other coins that have not been used as legal tender since 1991 – the 1 and 2 cent pieces – also appear in the set, both beautifully crafted in bronze.

Long-time members of the coin stable – the 5, 10 and 20 cent pieces – are represented in the Proof Set, as well as the $1 and $2 coins.

2006 Eight Coin Proof Set

Nominal Specifications

Metal Bronze Cupro Nickel Al/Bronze

Denomination 1c 2c 5c 10c 20c 50c $1 $2

Mass (g) 2.60 5.20 2.83 5.65 11.30 15.55 9.00 6.60

Diameter (mm) 17.53 21.59 19.41 23.60 28.52 31.51 25.00 20.50

Nominal Specifications

Metal Bronze Cupro Nickel 80% Ag Al/ Bronze

Denomination 1c 2c 5c 10c 20c 50c $1 $2

Mass (g) 2.60 5.20 2.83 5.65 11.30 13.28 9.00 6.60

Diameter (mm) 17.53 21.59 19.41 23.60 28.52 31.51 25.00 20.50

Few children’s stories have stood the

test of time like Norman Lindsay’s

‘The Magic Pudding’.

Since it was published in 1918,

thousands of Australian children

have grown up enjoying the

adventures of Albert, the rude

pudding, and his band of cheeky

buddies, Bunyip Bluegum, Sam

Sawnoff and Bill Barnacle.

As part of the new 2006 Baby Coin

Set range, the Royal Australian Mint is

offering ‘The Magic Pudding’ set in an

uncirculated version.

The collection comes in a beautiful

presentation folder adorned with

original artwork from the book, as

well as a special page to write your

own personal message.

Uncirculated Set

Price (inc GST):Unc - $30.50 801352

The Australian children’s classic bush

tale ‘The Magic Pudding’ comes alive

through this delightful set of six coins

that form the Royal Australian Mint’s

new 2006 Baby Coin Set.

‘Crafted to the Mint’s impeccably

high standards, the pack contains the

six circulating coins in proof fi nish

and a fi ne silver frosted uncirculated

medallion featuring the pudding

character Albert.

The Mint’s Baby Sets make a unique

and traditional gift for any new

arrival that is sure to become a

treasured heirloom.

Proof Set

Price (inc GST):Proof - $95.00 801419

2006 Australian Baby Coin Sets

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Four of Australia’s greatest artists will be showcased in what is destined

to be one of the Royal Australian Mint’s most original and popular

annual Masterpieces in Silver collections ever. The coin collection,

titled ‘Australian Art of the th Century’, pays tribute to some of

the nation’s most treasured artworks by Sidney Nolan, Jeffrey Smart,

Brett Whiteley and Russell Drysdale.

Works by these skillful artists have been masterfully recreated on

the coins, including ‘The drover’s wife’, by Drysdale; ‘Burke and Wills

Expedition’, by Nolan; ‘Self portrait in the studio’, by Whiteley; and

‘Keswick siding’ by Smart. Maintaining the integrity of the original

artworks has been a top priority and the result is a collection that

stunningly commemorates the artists and their images.

This collection is magnificently finished in . fine silver and packaged

in an elegant black case with silver foil. Because the set showcases

Australian art, it also comes with an ingenious miniature easel to display

the coins. Mintage is limited to ,.

Nominal Specifications

Denomination Metal Mass Diameter Finish Mintage

$5 Fine Silver (99.9%) 36.31 g 38.74 mm Proof 10 000

Designer: Vladimir Gottwald

Coin not shown actual size

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Price (inc GST): $195.00 801845

S E L F P O R T RA I T I N T H E S T U D I O, 1976

brett whiteley –

T H E D ROVE R ’S W I FE, 1945

russell drysdale –

B U R K E A N D W I L L S EX P E D I T I O N, 1948

sidney nolan –

Sidney Nolan (1917 - 1992)Burke and Wills Expedition, 1948Ripolin on board

Collection: Nolan Gallery,Cultural Facilities Corporation, Canberra

Russell Drysdale (1912 - 1981)Th e drover’s wife c. 1945oil on canvas51.5 x 61.5cm

A gift to the people of Australia by Mr and Mrs Benno Schmidt of New York and Esperance, Western Australia through the American Friends of the Australian National Gallery 1987

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

K E S W I C K S I D I N G, 1945

jeffrey smart born

Jeff rey SmartKeswick siding, 1945oil on jute canvas, 62.0 x 72.1cmGift of Charles B. Moses 1982

Collection: Art Gallery of New South Wales © Jeff rey Smartphotograph: Jenni Carter for AGNSW[accn # 193.1982]

Brett Whiteley Self portrait in the studio 1976oil, collage, hair on canvas, 200.5 x 259cmPurchased 1977

Collection: Art Gallery of New South Wales© Wendy WhiteleyPhotograph: Christopher Snee for AGNSW(accn#1.1977)

Winner Archibald Prize 1976. Work is regularly displayed at both AGNSW and the Brett Whiteley Studio Museum, Sydney.

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2006 $1 Silver Kangaroo Proof Coin

Collectors have embraced the Royal Australian Mint’s kangaroo coins and they will be excited to see the tradition continuing with the latest release in the series. Designer Wojciech Pietranik has skilfully created a moving and patriotic image of a bounding kangaroo with a joey peeking out of her pouch. Mintage is limited to 12,500 coins.

2006 $1 Silver Kangaroo Frosted Uncirculated Coin

The majestic sight of the kangaroo and her joey in full fl ight is a proud symbol of Australia’s unique heritage that is identifi able throughout the world. Discerning collectors of the Royal Australian Mint’s products will be delighted with this distinctive silver frosted uncirculated coin that comes packaged in an attractive display card.

Price (inc GST):Proof - $54.00 800726

Nominal Specifications

Denomination Metal Mass Diameter Finish Mintage

$1 Fine Silver (99.9%) 1 Troy oz 40.00 mm Proof 12 500

$1 Fine Silver (99.9%) 1 Troy oz 40.00 mm Frosted Uncirculated Unlimited

Designer Wojciech Pietranik

Coins not shown actual size

2006 One Dollar Silver Kangarooproof and frosted uncirculated coins

Price (inc GST):Frunc - $24.60 800721

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The New Zealand FalconNew Zealand proof and uncirculated coins

Nominal Specifications

Metal Cupro Aluminium Fine Silver Cupro Nickel

Nickel Bronze (proof) (unc)

Denomination 5c 10c 20c 50c $1 $2 $5 $5

Mass (g) 2.83 5.66 11.31 13.61 8.00 10.00 28.28 27.22

Diameter (mm) 19.43 23.62 28.58 31.75 23.00 26.50 38.74 38.74

Coin not shown actual size.

This fi ne New Zealand $5 coin depicts the country’s only native falcon, a beautiful and fearless bird synonymous with speed and power. Sadly the species is facing extinction, with fewer than 5000 left. These coins are available with a proof or uncirculated fi nish, and also feature in the 2006 New Zealand Year Sets.

Price (inc GST): $5 Proof Coin - $80.00 802025, Proof Set - $121.00 802031

Uncirculated Set - $44.00 802043, $5 Uncirculated Coin - $25.00 802027

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Wedding season is well and truly upon us, and along with it comes the

dilemma of fi nding a gift.

The Royal Australian Mint’s Wedding Coin Collection is a traditional, yet

original gift, that will commemorate any couple’s happy day and is now

available with 2005 or 2006 dated coins.

The stunning set features luxury gem uncirculated fi nish coins and includes

a plaque for you to engrave your own personal message.

Wedding Coin CollectionGem Uncirculated

Price (inc GST):Gem Uncirculated - $77.00 801130, 801620

Nominal Specifications

Metal Cupro Nickel Aluminium Bronze

Denomination 5c 10c 20c 50c $1 $2

Mass (g) 2.83 5.65 11.30 15.55 9.00 6.60

Diameter (mm) 19.41 23.60 28.52 31.51 25.00 20.50

Finish Gem Uncirculated

2006

2005

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$10 Selectively Gold Plated Silver Proof CoinSydney Mint Sesquicentenary - 1855 to 2005

The Royal Australian Mint helped the Sydney Mint celebrate

its 150th birthday with the release of a stunning limited

edition anniversary coin.

The Sydney Mint Sesquicentenary 1855–2005

Commemorative $10 Coin is produced from fi ne silver and

is selectively gold plated on both the reverse and obverse.

Mintage is limited to 10,000.

Price (inc GST): $95.00 801497

Nominal Specifications

Denomination Metal Selective Plating Mass Diameter Mintage

$10 Fine Silver (99.9%) Gold (99.99%) 60.50 g 50.00 mm 10 000

Designer: Wojciech Pietranik

Coin not shown actual size

Australian Currency Notes

This Mint Issue we are pleased to release the last prefi x

(KC 05) $5 note and the last prefi x (GB 05) $20 note from

the 2005 print runs. These notes complement the fi rst

prefi x (BA 05) $5 note and the fi rst prefi x (AA 05) $20

note released in the November Mint Issue. Standard

uncirculated $5 and $20 notes from these print runs

are also available. All of the above notes contain a

Macfarlane/Henry signature combination.

The numismatic notes available are fi rst and last

prefi x notes from general circulation print runs for all

denominations printed in a year. These notes attract a

small premium above face value and GST is payable.

Standard uncirculated notes are also available at face

value. They are intended to satisfy demand for crisp

new notes where the serial number prefi x or year is not

critical. Please note we are not able to satisfy requests

for notes with specifi c or consecutive serial numbers, be

they numismatic or standard uncirculated.

For details of the notes that are available to order, their

prices and how to order them, please see the separate

order form enclosed with this Mint Issue.

For general information about currency notes please

visit the RBA’s website www.rba.gov.au/currencynotes.

If you have any specifi c or general questions about

currency notes that cannot be answered after visiting

the RBA’s website, you can speak directly to RBA Staff in

Sydney on 1800 633 220 (Monday to Friday).

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Contact details: Royal Australian Mint Tel: 1300 652 020 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Mon - Fri EDT

(cost of local call Australia-wide)

International Tel: +61 2 6202 6800 Fax: +61 2 6202 6953 Mail: Royal Australian Mint, Locked Bag 31,

Kingston ACT 2604, Australia Website and E-shop: www.ramint.gov.au© Commonwealth of Australia 2006

To assist you with the payment of your order ask our Call Centre staff about the Mint's periodic payment option.

Off the Presses

Canberra ANDA ShowFor the fi rst time an ANDA Coin Fair will be held in Canberra. Come and visit us at Rydges Lakeside, February 11 and 12 and call into the Mint Shop to enjoy some special deals.

Subscription CoinThe 2006 Subscription Coin offer will be mailed to all Mint customers soon. The Royal Australian Mint subscription coins have become tradition for many collectors and this year’s theme celebrates Australian currency origins and is a fi tting coin to begin a collection with.

Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth GamesOur competition winner will be amongst the excitement in Melbourne 15-26 March 2006 and we hope you consider making the most of this unique sporting event too. Offi cial Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Coins will be for sale in Games Superstores during the two weeks of events and competition.

Did You Know?• You can mint your own collectible $1 ‘C’ mintmark coin at the

Mint in Canberra. You can also go on a tour and see the factory in operation on week days.

• You can split the cost of coin purchases over $300 into three payments over three months. Contact the call centre and ask about periodic payment.

• Ordering on line is an easy and convenient way to place orders for your coins. Our website is available 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year. You can browse all products available for sale on www.ramint.gov.au and can research those products that have sold out and closed.

• Also available on-line are Mint promotional items, numismatic accessories and selected Australian souvenirs. Visit EBOUTIQUE via the Royal Australian website or direct at www.eboutique.ramint.gov.au.

• To ensure you keep receiving Mint Issue please advise the Call Centre of any changes to your mailing address. This is especially important if you have not made a purchase from the Mint in the last 15 months.

• Don’t forget....www.ramint.gov.au is a great resource to fi nd answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the Mint and our products. If you cannot fi nd what you need on the site contact the Call Centre or send us an e-mail on info@ramint.gov.au and we will do our best to help you out.

N.B - Coins shown in this catalogue are not actual size unless stated.