After a year without fifty-cent coins (none were struck for circulation in 2023), the Royal Australian Mint issued the 50 cents of 2024 with a new monarch. It is the first year of the denomination with the portrait of Charles III.

The king’s portrait is by Daniel Thorne: Charles III is shown uncrowned, at his own choice, and facing left, the opposite direction to the portrait of Elizabeth II. The obverse reads CHARLES III AUSTRALIA 2024 with the initials DT. The reverse is unchanged: Stuart Devlin’s Commonwealth coat of arms with the kangaroo and emu on either side of the shield.

The kangaroo and emu were chosen for the 1912 arms because neither can easily move backwards, symbolising progress. The mintage of standard 50 cents in 2024 was 6.48 million. Coins bearing Elizabeth II remain legal tender, and circulate alongside the new coins of the king.

Grade UNC: the coin has never circulated, shows no wear and keeps its mint lustre. In a date run it is the opening entry of the new reign.

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