Overview

Issued by the Royal Australian Mint in 1998, this 12-sided 50 Cents coin marks the bicentenary of the exploration and navigation of Bass Strait in 1798 by George Bass and Matthew Flinders, proving Tasmania was an island separated from mainland Australia.

Key Features & Details:

• Country: Australia (Commonwealth of Australia)
• Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II
• Denomination: 50 Cents (Fifty Cents)
• Year: 1998
• Shape: 12-sided (Dodecagonal)
• Material: Cupronickel
• Condition: Circulated / Pre-owned – A genuinely circulated coin that has seen use. Both portraits of Bass and Flinders, the map relief separating Tasmania from mainland Australia and all lettering remain clear and fully legible, with natural surface wear, handling marks and toning consistent with circulation.
• Obverse (Front): Third effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem, designed by Raphael Maklouf, surrounded by “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA”, and “1998”.
• Reverse (Back): Portraits of George Bass and Matthew Flinders separated by a map depicting Bass Strait and Tasmania, inscribed “GEORGE BASS”, “MATTHEW FLINDERS”, “DISCOVERY OF BASS STRAIT 1798-1998”, and denomination “50”.

Collector Value:

A popular historical commemorative coin honouring key figures in Australian maritime exploration.