2014 Australia at War. German New Guinea 50 Cent Uncirculated in Card
SOLD
| Coin Type: | 50c |
| Grade: | Uncirculated |
| Year: | 2014 |
| Mint: | Royal Australian Mint |
| Mintage: | 50,000 |
| Metal: | Copper Nickel |
| Diameter (approx): | 31.51mm |
| Mass (approx): | 15.55g |
| Obverse: | Queen Elizabeth II (Ian Rank-Broadley) |
| Reverse: | HMAS Warrego (Wojciech Pietranik) |
When war was declared in August 1914, Australians sprung to action to fight for the cause. One early order of business was to counter the German colony of New Guinea. Within weeks, volunteers rose to the challenge and successfully formed the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, which occupied the township of Rabaul on 11 September. A small party proceeded to the village of Bita Paka, and subsequently destroyed a German wireless station. In the engagement with the German Reservists and Melanesian native police, seven serving Australians were killed; the first Australians to make the ultimate sacrifice in the First World War.
Coin’s reverse features a representation of the HMAS Warrego journey towards the German wireless station. The coloured stripes featured on the packaging are representative of the ribbon colours on the medal given out during this time.
Part of the Australia at War series, which features 18 coins that reflect the nation’s pride in our brave servicemen and women.
*Stock images courtesy of the Royal Australian Mint.
