The round fifty cent coin was the highest-denomination and largest diameter coin of the Australian decimal coins, introduced in 1966. It has a nominal value of half an Australian dollar, the equivalent of five
shilling
The shilling is a historical coin, and the name of a unit of modern currencies formerly used in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, other British Commonwealth countries and Ireland, where they were generally equivalent to 12 pence o ...
s in pre-decimal currency. Due to the large number minted in 1966, and the rising cost of silver, it was not made in any other year. It was replaced by a
twelve-sided 50 cent coin in 1969, which retained its reverse of the Australian Coat of Arms.
The round fifty cent coin contained 80% silver and 20% copper but, because the value of silver quickly increased after the coins were issued, their bullion value became higher than their face value, so they were withdrawn from circulation. A total of 36.45 million coins were minted, with 14 million being put into circulation.
Round 50c coins are still legal tender, but they are rarely used as means of payment. , the bullion value of a round 50c coin was about AU$12.66.
References
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External links
Australian Decimal Currency
{{Australian currency
Decimal coins of Australia
Fifty-cent coins
Currencies introduced in 1966