Menu

5 Dollars - Elizabeth II 3rd Portrait - Colonel William Light - Masterpieces in Silver

5 Dollars - Elizabeth II (3rd Portrait - Colonel William Light - Masterpieces in Silver) - obverse5 Dollars - Elizabeth II (3rd Portrait - Colonel William Light - Masterpieces in Silver) - reverse

© Richard Thomas

Features

Country Australia
Queen Elizabeth II (1952-date)
Type Non-circulating coin
Year 1995
Value 5 Dollars
5.00 AUD = 3.57 USD
Currency Dollar (1966-date)
Composition Silver (.925)
Weight 35.79 g
Diameter 38.9 mm
Thickness 3.5 mm
Shape Round
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑
References KM# 306
  • Schmidt, Tracy L. (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins, 2001-Date (14th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA. ISBN 9781440248979.
  • Michael, Thomas & Tracy L. Schmidt; 2016. Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700 (7th edition). Krause Publications, Iola, Wisconsin, USA. ISBN 9781440248573.
  • Michael, Thomas (editor); 2016. Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800 (7th edition). Krause Publications, Iola, Wisconsin, USA. ISBN 9781440247064.
  • Schmidt, Tracy L. (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900 (9th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA. ISBN 9781440248955.
  • Schmidt, Tracy L. (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000 (47th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA. ISBN 9781440248962.

Commemorative issue

Colonial Australia - Masterpieces in Silver

Series: Colonial Australia

Obverse

3rd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing the King George IV State Diadem

Lettering:
ELIZABETH II
AUSTRALIA 1995
RDM

Engraver: Raphael David Maklouf

Raphael David Maklouf is a sculptor, best known for designing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II used on the coins of many Commonwealth nations. Maklouf was born in Jerusalem emigrating with his family to the United Kingdom after the Second World War. He attended the Camberwell School of Art until 1958, afterward becoming an academic lecturer for ten years. He was made an Associate of the Royal Society of British Sculptors in 1979. Raphael Maklouf was born to a Jewish family. His father is Samuel Maklouf, born in Safed, Raphael Makouf's mother is Leonie Maklouf.

Reverse

Head of Colonel William Light in front of grid diagram plan of early Adelaide.

Lettering:
COL. WILLIAM LIGHT 1786 • 1839
5 DOLLARS
WP

Engraver: Wojciech Pietranik

Wojciech Pietranik, born 25 March 1950, is a Polish artist and sculptor best known for his design work for coins and medals.

Edge

Continuous reeding

5 Dollars - Elizabeth II (3rd Portrait - Colonel William Light - Masterpieces in Silver) - obverse

© Mike Bentley

Mint

Royal Australian Mint, Canberra, Australia (1965-date)

Comments

The Royal Australian Mint issued in 1995 a Colonial Australia Masterpieces in Silver Proof $5 Dollars, Five Coin Set with reverse designs celebrating Australia's primary industries, communications, transport and economy. This particular coin celebrated the achievements of William Light, the man who surveyed and planned the city of Adelaide.

The beautiful city of Adelaide is a living memorial to the energy and vision of  Colonel Light. He was by turns soldier, sailor, artist, mercenary, explorer and surveyor – a crowded lifetime of experience proving to be the preparation of his final magnificent work. He was appointed the Surveyor-General of South Australia in 1836, his task to establish the site of the colony's capital. He chose a site a little inland from the eastern shore of the Gulf of St Vincent which explorer Collet Barker has admired from atop Mount Lofty five years earlier.

His choice was bitterly disputed. Light, however, presented a safe and sheltered anchorage, a good water supply, and ample space for the settlement on the Adelaide plain. By March 1837, he had his well known grid plan for the city, including surrounding parklands. Colonel Light named the city, Adelaide, after the Queen. After initial setbacks, South Australia made quick progress with the development of agriculture and the discovery of minerals. From carefully planned beginnings, Adelaide grew to become the bustling centre for commerce and culture it is today.

See also

Manage my collection

To manage your collection, please log in.


Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC
1995  14,000 Proof in Masterpieces in Silver Set

Get this coin

No member from this site currently wants to exchange it.

Numista Rarity index: 94 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Bullion value: 25.88 USD Search tips
This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of silver at 782 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

» Buy coins from Australia

Contribute to the catalog

Modify or add data on this page
Match past online sales
Coins › Australia › 5 Dollars - Elizabeth II (3rd Portrait - Colonel William Light - Masterpieces in Silver)