2 Dollars - Elizabeth II (3rd portrait)

Australia · 1989

An Australian two-dollar coin featuring the third crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and an Aboriginal elder alongside the Southern Cross constellation on the reverse.

Country: Australia
Year: 1989
Denomination: 2 Dollars
Metal: Aluminium-Bronze (92% copper, 6% aluminium, 2% nickel)

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

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Overview

An Australian two-dollar coin featuring the third crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and an Aboriginal elder alongside the Southern Cross constellation on the reverse.

Historical significance

Introduced in 1988 to replace the Australian two-dollar banknote, this coin design incorporates cultural artwork depicting an indigenous Australian elder, representing a significant recognition of Aboriginal heritage in Australian currency.

Obverse (front)

Third crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Vladimir Tiara, surrounded by the legend 'ELIZABETH II' and 'AUSTRALIA 1989', with designer initials RDM below the bust.

Reverse (back)

Design by Horst Hahne featuring an elderly Aboriginal man with tribal beard and headdress, flanked by the Southern Cross constellation above and native grass trees below, with the denomination '2 DOLLARS' and designer's initials HH.

Estimated value

$2 to $5 in circulated condition; up to $15 in uncirculated condition

What drives this coin's value

Overall grade/condition, presence of mint luster, and scarce error varieties (such as planchet or striking errors)

Grade assessment

Extremely Fine (XF) to About Uncirculated (AU) with minor surface wear and typical circulation marks

Mintage & rarity

Common circulation coin with a high mintage for the year 1989

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for correct weight, magnetic properties (non-magnetic aluminium-bronze alloy), and sharp details in the hair and beard of the reverse design.

Notable varieties & errors

Occasional die cracks, double strikes, or off-center errors, though standard circulation strikes are most common.

Similar coins

Other Australian circulating decimal coins featuring Queen Elizabeth II, such as the 1-dollar coin

Care & preservation

Handle by the edges using clean cotton gloves if uncirculated. Store in a cool, dry place in a PVC-free coin holder or flip. Do not clean, as harsh cleaning destroys original mint luster and significantly reduces numismatic value.