The Australia Half Sovereign 2015 Gold Proof Coin is a modern adaptation of the original Sydney Mint Sovereign, representing this important part of Australia’s history.
The discovery of payable gold in the colony of New South Wales in 1851 lay behind the establishment of the Sydney branch of the Royal Mint, which opened on 14 May 1855. The Sydney Mint produced its first Type I sovereign, featuring a unique ‘colonial’ design, on 23 June 1855.

Each coin is meticulously struck from 91.67% pure gold (22-carat) in supreme proof quality.

The commemorative 2015 Australia Half Sovereign portrays St Edwards crown, a laurel wreath and the word AUSTRALIA, historic elements of Leonard Charles Wyon’s original Type I reverse. The modern tribute also includes the inscriptions PERTH MINT, HALF SOVEREIGN, and the Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark.

Issued as Australian legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, the coin’s obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the monetary denomination and the 2015 year-date.

The Perth Mint will release no more than 1,500 of the Australia Half Sovereign 2015 Gold Proof Coin.

The coin is housed in a prestigious wooden presentation case within a superbly illustrated shipper, and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.