2016 50c Uncirculated Carded Coin - Gulf Wars

Description

Australia was one of a number of nations to act against Iraq following its invasion of Kuwait in 1990. While tensions built throughout the latter part of 1990, the war would take shape as a short-lived offensive in the early part of 1991 with coalition forces overwhelming Iraq's defenses swiftly. After the first Gulf war the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) remained deployed to help enforce sanctions on Iraq in the Persian Gulf. This presence remained mostly peaceful until 2003, when escalating tensions over weapons of mass destruction culminated in a second coalition invasion of Iraq, which Australia was involved in. No weapons were found, but Australian ground forces participated in the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and provided ongoing support to the democratic government until 2009. The RAN continues to serve in the Persian Gulf to this day.

• Culmination of the Australia at War series, as one of the last three to be released in this 18 coin set
  
• Part of the Royal Australian Mint's Official Anzac Centenary Coin Program
  
• Capturing one of the modem elements of our war history the coin's reverse features an artistic representation of soldiers advancing down a road across an arid landscape, accompanied by colour printed medal ribbon motifs
  
• Packaged in a presentation card featuring specific subject matter imagery
  
• Finished to the Royal Australian Mint's colour printed uncirculated standard
  
• Obverse features Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's effigy sculpted by lan Rank-Broadley
  
• Australian legal tender

NOMINAL SPECIFICATIONS
Denomination 50c
Year 2016
Metal content CuNi
Mass 15.55 g
Diameter 31.51 mm
Finish Uncirculated
Maximum mintage 50 000
Packaging Card
Obverse designer Ian Rank-Broadley
Reverse designer Royal Australian Mint