Omari Gates
The Australian two-dollar coin is the highest-denomination coin of the Australian dollar. It was first issued in 1988, replacing the two-dollar note. The coin features the portrait of the reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, on the obverse side. The reverse side of the coin features an image of Gwoya Tjungurrayi, a Warlpiri-Anmatyerre man who became a symbol of Indigenous Australian culture. Tjungurrayi was a survivor of the 1928 Coniston Massacre, one of the most brutal attacks on Indigenous people in Australia's history. His image on the two-dollar coin serves as a powerful reminder of the rich cultural history of Australia's Indigenous people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of introduction | 20 June 1988 |
| Designer | Horst Hahne |
| Denomination | $2 |
| Reason for introduction | To replace the Australian $2 note |
| Features | An archetype of an Aboriginal tribal elder, Gwoya Tjungurrayi |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The coin features Gwoya Tjungurrayi, a Warlpiri-Anmatyerre man
The Australian two-dollar coin was introduced on 20 June 1988, replacing the Australian two-dollar note. The coin is composed of 2% nickel, 6% aluminium, and 92% copper. It is the highest-denomination circulating coin of the Australian dollar. The obverse of the coin features the portrait of the reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, which was replaced by King Charles III following her death in 2022.
Tjungurrayi's image gained national and international attention in 1935 when photographer Roy Dunstan captured his likeness during a visit to the Northern Territory. The photograph depicted Tjungurrayi's distinctive features and dignified demeanour and was featured on the cover of the popular tourism magazine "Walkabout". This image served as the basis for the design of the $2 coin, introduced in 1988 as part of Australia's bicentennial celebrations. Artist Ainslie Roberts created a drawing based on Dunstan's photograph, which became the model for the coin's design.
Tjungurrayi's legacy extends beyond the $2 coin. In 1950, he became the first Indigenous Australian to be featured on a postage stamp, and the Electoral Division of Gwoja in the Northern Territory was named in his honour. Tjungurrayi's life story exemplifies resilience and quiet dignity. He overcame hardships to become a respected elder and lawman within his community. His image on the $2 coin ensures that his memory and the rich cultural history of Australia's Indigenous people are celebrated by millions daily.
Incandescent Light Bulbs: Australia's Ban and What It Means
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tjungurrayi was a survivor of the 1928 Coniston Massacre
The Australian two-dollar coin, introduced on 20 June 1988, features an image of an Aboriginal tribal elder. This elder, Gwoya Tjungurrayi, was a survivor of the 1928 Coniston Massacre. Tjungurrayi was one of the only survivors of the massacre, in which over 60 Aboriginal women, men, and children were killed. The massacre was led by Mounted Constable George Murray, who formed a reprisal party after the murder of white dingo trapper Fred Brooks. Brooks had been living at a waterhole called Yurrkuru, west of the homestead, and was said to have mistreated one of the Warlpiri women working for him. He was also occupying a traditional Warlpiri soakage site at a time of extreme drought, and skirmishes over water and food had been escalating.
The Coniston Massacre was one of the later mass killings of Aboriginal people on the frontier in the Northern Territory. The memories of the massacre are still fresh for Aboriginal people across the Central Australian region, and it has been well-documented due to the persistence of survivors and their descendants in telling their stories. The Royal Australian Mint, which produces the two-dollar coin, has acknowledged the Traditional Custodians of the country throughout Australia and their connections to the land, sea, and community.
Tjungurrayi's image on the coin was designed by Horst Hahne, who was chosen from numerous designers invited to contribute designs. The brief for the design included a representation of the head and shoulders of an Aboriginal Australian, the Southern Cross, and Australian flora. Tjungurrayi (or his descendants/community) likely would have had to willingly accept his image being used on the coin. The coin has been used for commemorative designs, such as the 2012 Remembrance coin featuring a poppy flower and the words "Lest We Forget" and "Remembrance Day."
Exploring Australia's Discovery: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The coin was designed by Horst Hahne
The Australian two-dollar coin was designed by Horst Hahne. The coin was first issued on 20 June 1988, replacing the Australian two-dollar note due to its longer circulatory life. The coin features an image that represents an archetype of an Aboriginal tribal elder. Hahne's design was inspired by an artwork by Ainslie Roberts, which depicted Gwoya Tjungurrayi, also known as One Pound Jimmy. Roberts' artwork was modified in line with coin production requirements.
Numerous designers were invited to contribute designs for the two-dollar coin. They were given a brief to include a representation of the head and shoulders of an Aboriginal Australian, the Southern Cross, and Australian flora. Hahne's design was selected, and his initials were included on the coins produced in 1988 and 1989. However, from 1990 onwards, the designer's initials were removed from the coins.
The two-dollar coin is the highest-denomination circulating coin of the Australian dollar. It is composed of 2% nickel, 6% aluminium, and 92% copper. The size of the coin was carefully considered to accommodate the needs of the visually impaired community, security concerns, and practical limitations. The diameter and thickness of the coin were also factors in the decision-making process.
The Australian two-dollar coin has been used for several commemorative designs. For example, in 2012, the Royal Australian Mint released a different design for the two-dollar coin to commemorate Remembrance Day. This design featured a poppy flower with the words "Lest We Forget" and "Remembrance Day" in the background. It was the first coloured circulating coin in Australia.
United's Hawaii-Australia Route: Is it Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The $2 coin was introduced in 1988
The $2 coin was introduced in Australia on 20 June 1988. It replaced the Australian $2 note, which had a short service life due to high use. The coin has a longer circulatory life. The $2 coin was designed by Horst Hahne, and numerous designers were invited to contribute designs based on a brief to include a representation of the head and shoulders of an Aboriginal Australian, the Southern Cross, and Australian flora. The image on the coin represents an archetype of an Aboriginal tribal elder. The designer's initials were removed from the coins from 1990 onwards.
The $2 coin is the highest-denomination circulating coin of the Australian dollar. It is made of 2% nickel, 6% aluminium, and 92% copper. The coin is smaller in diameter than the $1 coin but is slightly thicker. The $2 coin has been issued every year since its introduction, except in 1991, with an average mintage of 22 million coins per annum from 1989 to 2008. The Royal Australian Mint in Canberra has been the only place where the coin has been struck.
The $2 coin has played a role in commemorating significant events and honouring notable figures in Australian history. For example, in 2012, a Remembrance coin was minted, featuring a poppy flower and the words "Lest We Forget" and "Remembrance Day". This was the first coloured circulating coin in Australia. Other commemorative designs include coins honouring the Australian War Memorial, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Queen's coronation.
The $2 coin has also been used to celebrate Indigenous Australian culture and history. The image of Gwoya Tjungurrayi, a Warlpiri-Anmatyerre man born around 1895 in the Tanami Desert, has graced the $2 coin since 1988. Tjungurrayi became a symbol of Indigenous Australian resilience and survival, having endured hardships such as the 1928 Coniston Massacre, one of the most brutal attacks on Indigenous people in Australia's history. His image on the coin serves as a powerful reminder of the rich cultural history of Australia's Indigenous people.
Travel Time: Indiana to Australia
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The coin has been used to commemorate various events
The Australian $2 coin, which was first introduced on 20 June 1988, has been used to commemorate various events. The coin's design represents an archetype of an Aboriginal tribal elder, designed by Horst Hahne. The Royal Australian Mint has issued Australian commemorative coins with a range of designs, often depicting various anniversaries, organisations, and significant events in Australian history.
In 2012, the Royal Australian Mint released the first differently designed $2 coin to commemorate Remembrance Day. It featured a poppy in the centre on a background of microtext, reading "Remembrance Day" and "Lest We Forget". This was the first coloured circulating coin in Australia. In 2013, a third commemorative $2 coin was launched, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, featuring a purple circle bordering St Edward's Crown.
In 2014, as part of the 100th anniversary of Anzac Day, a coin programme launched by the Royal Australian Mint released two separate coloured coins. The first featured two green circles in the middle of the coin and a dove in the centre, with the word "Remembrance" stretched across the top. The second coin, released in 2015, included red stripes and five crosses amongst poppies, with the words "Lest We Forget" in the centre. A fifth coin was also released in 2015, featuring a sun in the centre with birds and the poem "In Flanders Field" in the background.
In 2016, a commemorative coin was issued for the Rio Olympic Games. Five coins were issued for circulation via Woolworths and were made available in packs of five on 27 July 2016. A Paralympic Games coin was issued on 22 August 2016. Other commemorative designs include celebrating the 50th anniversary of decimal currency, commemorating Indigenous Australians' long-standing tradition of serving in the military, and honouring Australia's firefighters and police.
Chickens' Appetite for Ants: An Australian Perspective
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Australian 2-dollar coin features an Aboriginal tribal elder named Gwoya Tjungurrayi. It does not feature an animal.
Australia's Coat of Arms, featuring a kangaroo and an emu, is pictured on the Australian $1 coin.
The smallest Australian coin features an echidna, which is known for its incredible sense of smell, robust legs, and strong nails.
The $2 coin has featured commemorative designs, including a red poppy, the words 'Lest We Forget' and 'Remembrance Day', and a purple circle bordering St Edward's Crown.
The $2 coin was designed by Horst Hahne, inspired by a photograph of Gwoya Tjungurrayi taken by Roy Dunstan.
