Australian two-cent coin: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with " {| class="wikitable" |+ !align="center"|'''Value''' !align="center"|Mass !align="center"|'''Diameter''' !align="center"|'''Edge''' !'''Composition''' |- |align="center"|$0.01 AUD |align="center"|2.60 g |align="center"|17.5 mm |align="center"|Plain |align="center"|97% copper<br/>2.5% zinc<br/>0.5% tin |- !align="center"|'''Obverse''' !align="center"|'''Design''' !align="center"|'''Designer''' !align="center"|'''Design date''' |align="center"| |- |align="center"|File:Au...")
 
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__FORCETOC__
=== Production ===
The Australian two-cent coin was first introduced with decimal currency on February 14, 1966. The coin featured the original reverse design of a frill-necked lizard, which has remained unchanged since its introduction.
In its first year of minting, the coin was produced at three different mints: the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra, the Royal Mint Melbourne branch, and the Royal Mint Perth branch. The production figures for the first year were 145.2 million at the Royal Australian Mint, 66.6 million at the Melbourne Mint, and 217.7 million at the Perth Mint.
The two-cent coin was the last circulating coin for Australia struck outside the Royal Australian Mint. The only year that the coins were minted outside Australia was in 1981, when 70.8 million were struck at the British Royal Mint in Llantrisant, Wales, in addition to 97.4 million from Canberra and 81.8 million from Perth.
The cessation of issue of one and two-cent coins was announced by the Treasurer in his Budget Speech of August 21, 1990. The decision was based on the loss of real purchasing power through inflation and the cost of minting these coins. Both coins were withdrawn from circulation commencing in February 1992. However, they continue to be legal tender and can still be used to purchase goods or be deposited with financial institutions.
The last year of minting was 1989, and no two-cent coins were produced in 1986 or 1987. After their removal from circulation, some of the coins were melted down to make bronze medals for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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!'''Composition'''
!'''Composition'''
|-
|-
|align="center"|$0.01 AUD
|align="center"|$0.02 AUD
|align="center"|2.60 g
|align="center"|5.20 g
|align="center"|17.5 mm
|align="center"|21.59 mm
|align="center"|Plain
|align="center"|Plain
|align="center"|97% copper<br/>2.5% zinc<br/>0.5% tin
|align="center"|97% copper<br/>2.5% zinc<br/>0.5% tin
Line 17: Line 30:
!align="center"|'''Design'''
!align="center"|'''Design'''
!align="center"|'''Designer'''
!align="center"|'''Designer'''
!align="center"|'''Design date'''
! colspan="2" align="center" |'''Design date'''
|align="center"|
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Australian 1c AM Coin.jpg|44px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Australian 2c AM Coin.jpg|54px]]
|align="center"|Elizabeth II
|align="center"|Elizabeth II
|align="center"|Arnold Machin
|align="center"|Arnold Machin
|align="center"|1966
| colspan="2" align="center" |1966 - 1984
|align="center"|
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Australian 1c RM Coin.jpg|44px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Australian 2c RM Coin.jpg|54px]]
|align="center"|Elizabeth II
|align="center"|Elizabeth II
|align="center"|Raphael Maklouf
|align="center"|Raphael Maklouf
|align="center"|1985
| colspan="2" align="center" |1985 - 1989
|align="center"|
|-
|-
!align="center"|'''Reverse'''
!align="center"|'''Reverse'''
!align="center"|'''Design'''
!align="center"|'''Design'''
!align="center"|'''Designer'''
!align="center"|'''Designer'''
!align="center"|'''Design date'''
! colspan="2" align="center" |'''Design date'''
|align="center"|
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Australian 1c Coin.png|44px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Australian 2c Coin.png|54px]]
|align="center"|Feathertail glider
|align="center"|Frill-necked Lizard
|align="center"|[[Stuart Devlin AO CMG|Stuart Devlin]]
|align="center"|[[Stuart Devlin AO CMG|Stuart Devlin]]
|align="center"|1966
| colspan="2" align="center" |1966 - 1989
|align="center"|
|}
|}


 
=== Mintage Figures ===
 
'''Production:'''
 
The initial 1966 issue was produced by three mints: 146.5 million coins at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra, 239 million at the Melbourne Mint, and 26.6 million at the Perth Mint. Except for the years 1966 and 1981, all other one-cent coins were produced at the Canberra mint. In 1981, 40.3 million coins were minted at the British Royal Mint in Llantrisant, Wales, and 183.6 million in Canberra. The coin was not minted in 1986 and was last produced in 1990.
 
The decision to withdraw the one-cent and two-cent coins was announced by the Treasurer in a Budget Speech on 21 August 1990. The coins were removed due to inflation reducing their value and the high cost of bronze. Around the same time, other countries also eliminated their bronze coins—New Zealand removed its one and two-cent coins in 1990, while the United Kingdom and Ireland transitioned their bronze one and two pence coins to copper-plated steel.
 
 
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
|+
|+
Line 67: Line 67:
|1972
|1972
|1973
|1973
|1974
|1973
|-
|-
!Mintage (Mil)
!Mintage (Mil)
|146.5
|145.2
|239
|66.6
|26.6
|217.7
|110
|73.3
|19.9
|17.0
|87.7
|12.9
|72.6
|39.9
|102.5
|60.7
|82.4
|77.6
|140.7
|68.1
|131.7
|26.0
|-
|-
!Mint
!Mint
Line 86: Line 86:
|RMM
|RMM
|RMP
|RMP
|RMM
|RMP
|RMM
|RMP
|RAM
|RAM
|RAM
|RAM
|RAM
Line 94: Line 93:
|RAM
|RAM
|RAM
|RAM
|PM
|}
|}


Line 99: Line 99:
|+
|+
!Mintage year
!Mintage year
|1974
|1974
|1975
|1975
|1975
|1976
|1976
|1976
|1977
|1977
|1977
|1978
|1978
|1978
|1979
|1979
|-
!Mintage (Mil)
|91.7
|86.0
|33.1
|67.0
|71.9
|50.0
|88.7
|30.0
|88.7
|40.0
|29.7
|-
!Mint
|RAM
|PM
|RAM
|PM
|RAM
|PM
|RAM
|PM
|RAM
|PM
|RAM
|}
{|class="wikitable"
|+
!Mintage year
|1979
|1980
|1980
|1980
|1981
|1981
|1981
|1981
|1981
|1982
|1982
|1982
|1983
|1983
|1983
|1984
|1984
|-
|-
!Mintage (Mil)
!Mintage (Mil)
|134.8
|40.0
|172.9
|105.6
|153.4
|40.0
|97.3
|97.4
|130.3
|81.8
|137.9
|70.8
|183.6
|81.3
|40.3
|40.4
|134.3
|156.6
|205.6
|20.7
|74.7
|50.8
|-
|-
!Mint
!Mint
|PM
|RAM
|RAM
|PM
|RAM
|RAM
|RAM
|PM
|RAM
|RAM
|RAM
|RAM
|RMLL
|RMLL
|RAM
|RAM
|PM
|RAM
|RAM
|PM
|RAM
|RAM
|}
|}
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!Mintage year
!Mintage year
|1985
|1985
|1987
|1988
|1988
|1989
|1989
|1990
|-
|-
!Mintage (Mil)
!Mintage (Mil)
|45.9
|32.6
|127
|28.9
|108.4
|124.5
|168.4
|133.3
|-
|-
!Mint
!Mint
|RAM
|RAM
|RAM
|RAM
|RAM
|RAM
Line 164: Line 200:
|+
|+
:
:
| colspan="4" |<small>RAM = Royal Australian Mint, RMM = Royal Melbourne Mint, RPM = Royal Perth Mint, RMLL = Royal Mint Llantrisant</small>  
| colspan="4" |<small>RAM = Royal Australian Mint, RMM = Royal Melbourne Mint, RPM = Royal Perth Mint,  PM = Perth Mint, RMLL = Royal Mint Llantrisant</small>
|}
|}
'''Mint Marks:'''


Although there was no formal mint mark, the products of the Melbourne, Perth and Canberra mints can be identified by comparison of the whiskers on the feathertail glider left. The Melbourne coins have the first whisker (nearest the rim) blunted; Perth coins have the second whisker blunted while Canberra pieces show no blunting.
=== Mint Marks ===
Mint marks on the Australian 1966 two-cent coin provide a fascinating insight into its production history. These marks, discernible by examining the front feet of the frill-necked lizard depicted on the coin, indicate the mint of manufacture. Specifically, a blunted rightmost claw on the front right foot signifies a Perth minting, while a blunted second claw from the right on the left foot indicates a Melbourne minting. The absence of blunted claws suggests a Canberra minting. This unique identification system underscores the intricate details of coin minting and adds a layer of intrigue for collectors and historians alike.


There is no known difference between the Australian 1 cent coins produced by the two mints in 1981. The only information available is that the British Royal Mint in Llantrisant produced 40,300,000 coins, while the Royal Australian Mint (RAM) in Canberra produced 134,290,000 coins.
There are no observable mint marks on the 1981 coin, both the Perth and Llantrisant mints distribute their coins in mint bags and the Canberran mint distriblted  their coins in rolls.


When the 1 cent and 2 cent coins were withdrawn in 1991, they were returned to the mint. Eventually, they were melted down, and the metal was used to make the bronze medals for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|+
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! align="center" |RPM (Perth)
! align="center" |RPM (Perth)
|-
|-
| align="center" |[[File:MintMark1ccan.jpg|115px]]
| align="center" |[[File:MintMark2ccan.jpg|200px]]
| align="center" |[[File:MintMark1cmel.jpg|130px]]
| align="center" |[[File:MintMark2cmel.jpg|200px]]
| align="center" |[[File:MintMark1cper.jpg|130px]]
| align="center" |[[File:MintMark2cper.jpg|200px]]
|-
|-
|Canberra Mint: No blunted whiskers; all whiskers are sharp.
|<small>Canberra Mint: All the claws are sharp.</small>
|Melbourne Mint: The first whisker (nearest the rim) is blunted.
|<small>Melbourne Mint: Blunted second claw on the left foot .</small>
|Perth Mint: The second whisker is blunted.
|<small>Perth Mint: Blunted rightmost claw.</small>
|}
|}
<small>Source: https://www.australian-coins.com/australian-decimal-changeover/australian-1966-2c-mint-marks/</small>

Latest revision as of 03:40, 25 June 2024


Production

The Australian two-cent coin was first introduced with decimal currency on February 14, 1966. The coin featured the original reverse design of a frill-necked lizard, which has remained unchanged since its introduction.

In its first year of minting, the coin was produced at three different mints: the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra, the Royal Mint Melbourne branch, and the Royal Mint Perth branch. The production figures for the first year were 145.2 million at the Royal Australian Mint, 66.6 million at the Melbourne Mint, and 217.7 million at the Perth Mint.

The two-cent coin was the last circulating coin for Australia struck outside the Royal Australian Mint. The only year that the coins were minted outside Australia was in 1981, when 70.8 million were struck at the British Royal Mint in Llantrisant, Wales, in addition to 97.4 million from Canberra and 81.8 million from Perth.

The cessation of issue of one and two-cent coins was announced by the Treasurer in his Budget Speech of August 21, 1990. The decision was based on the loss of real purchasing power through inflation and the cost of minting these coins. Both coins were withdrawn from circulation commencing in February 1992. However, they continue to be legal tender and can still be used to purchase goods or be deposited with financial institutions.

The last year of minting was 1989, and no two-cent coins were produced in 1986 or 1987. After their removal from circulation, some of the coins were melted down to make bronze medals for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.


Value Mass Diameter Edge Composition
$0.02 AUD 5.20 g 21.59 mm Plain 97% copper
2.5% zinc
0.5% tin
Obverse Design Designer Design date
Elizabeth II Arnold Machin 1966 - 1984
Elizabeth II Raphael Maklouf 1985 - 1989
Reverse Design Designer Design date
Frill-necked Lizard Stuart Devlin 1966 - 1989

Mintage Figures

Mintage year 1966 1966 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1973
Mintage (Mil) 145.2 66.6 217.7 73.3 17.0 12.9 39.9 60.7 77.6 68.1 26.0
Mint RAM RMM RMP RMP RMP RAM RAM RAM RAM RAM PM
Mintage year 1974 1974 1975 1975 1976 1976 1977 1977 1978 1978 1979
Mintage (Mil) 91.7 86.0 33.1 67.0 71.9 50.0 88.7 30.0 88.7 40.0 29.7
Mint RAM PM RAM PM RAM PM RAM PM RAM PM RAM
Mintage year 1979 1980 1980 1981 1981 1981 1982 1982 1983 1983 1984
Mintage (Mil) 40.0 105.6 40.0 97.4 81.8 70.8 81.3 40.4 156.6 20.7 50.8
Mint PM RAM PM RAM PM RMLL RAM PM RAM PM RAM
Mintage year 1985 1988 1989
Mintage (Mil) 32.6 28.9 124.5
Mint RAM RAM RAM
RAM = Royal Australian Mint, RMM = Royal Melbourne Mint, RPM = Royal Perth Mint, PM = Perth Mint, RMLL = Royal Mint Llantrisant

Mint Marks

Mint marks on the Australian 1966 two-cent coin provide a fascinating insight into its production history. These marks, discernible by examining the front feet of the frill-necked lizard depicted on the coin, indicate the mint of manufacture. Specifically, a blunted rightmost claw on the front right foot signifies a Perth minting, while a blunted second claw from the right on the left foot indicates a Melbourne minting. The absence of blunted claws suggests a Canberra minting. This unique identification system underscores the intricate details of coin minting and adds a layer of intrigue for collectors and historians alike.

There are no observable mint marks on the 1981 coin, both the Perth and Llantrisant mints distribute their coins in mint bags and the Canberran mint distriblted their coins in rolls.

RAM (Canberra) RMM (Melbourne) RPM (Perth)
Canberra Mint: All the claws are sharp. Melbourne Mint: Blunted second claw on the left foot . Perth Mint: Blunted rightmost claw.

Source: https://www.australian-coins.com/australian-decimal-changeover/australian-1966-2c-mint-marks/

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