Australian 50 Cents (Coat of Arms)

Australia · 1979

A dodecagonal (12-sided) cupro-nickel coin featuring the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and the Australian Coat of Arms with a kangaroo and emu on the reverse.

Country: Australia
Year: 1979
Denomination: 50 Cents
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% 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.

Identified September 8, 2026More australia coins →

Explore Australian 50 Cents (Coat of Arms) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own coins.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Overview

A dodecagonal (12-sided) cupro-nickel coin featuring the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and the Australian Coat of Arms with a kangaroo and emu on the reverse.

Historical significance

Introduced in 1969 following decimalization in 1966 (replacing the earlier round 80% silver 50-cent coin of 1966), this dodecagonal design became a staple of Australian currency. The Coat of Arms reverse depicts the badges of the six Australian states on a shield supported by a kangaroo and an emu, representing the nation's unique fauna and federal unity.

Obverse (front)

Second crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, surrounded by the legend 'ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1979'. Designed by Arnold Machin.

Reverse (back)

The Australian Coat of Arms featuring a central shield divided into six sections (representing the six states) with a federation star above, supported by a kangaroo on the left and an emu on the right, against a background of stylized floral emu bush. The denomination '50' is prominently displayed at the bottom. Designed by Stuart Devlin.

Estimated value

$0.50 to $2.00 in circulated condition; up to $5-$15 in uncirculated Mint State grades.

What drives this coin's value

Condition/grade, presence of mint luster, absence of heavy scratches or gouges, and collector demand for specific year runs.

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated to Mint State (AU/MS) with minor bag marks and typical circulation contact wear, retaining decent original luster.

Mintage & rarity

52,700,000 minted. Common in circulation.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Due to its face value and high mintage, counterfeiting is extremely rare for common-date circulation pieces. Check weight (15.55g) and dimensions if suspicious, and verify non-magnetic properties (cupro-nickel is non-magnetic).

Notable varieties & errors

Occasional minor die cracks or doubling errors can be found by specialists, though no major key varieties exist for the 1979 standard circulation strike.

Similar coins

Other decimal Australian 50-cent commemorative coins (such as royal wedding, silver jubilee, or game coins) and international dodecagonal coins like certain British or Fijian issues.

Care & preservation

Store in a cool, dry environment in a 2x2 coin flip or inert plastic holder. Avoid harsh chemical cleaning or polishing, as this ruins the original mint luster and severely reduces numismatic value.