2000 Victoria Cross DOLLAR

Obverse:	Queen Elizabeth II - Design by Ian Rank-Broadley. Legend: ELIZABETH. II. AUSTRALIA 2000
Reverse:	Victoria Cross - Design by Wojciech Pietranik. Legend: VICTORIA CROSS ONE DOLLAR Capt. N Howse VC 24 July 1900
Edge:	Interrupted milling.
Weight:	9.00 grams (138.9 grains).
Size:	25.00 mm (diameter).
Composition:	Aluminium Bronze: 92% Copper, 6% Aluminium, 2% Nickel
Mintage:	Circulation:
Mintmarks:	None.

Captain Neville Howse,a volunteer doctor in the New South Wales Medical Corps, was the first soldier in an Australian unit to be awarded the Victoria Cross, a medal created by Queen Victoria in 1856 and granted only for the most conspicuous acts of courage while facing the enemy. In Captain Howse's case, on July 24, 1900, during a clash between Australian and Boer forces in the South African Boer War, he rode through heavy enemy fire at the height of the battle to rescue a fallen trumpeter from the battle field. Before he reached the soldier, Howse's horse was shot from under him, yet he continued on foot, reached and tended the soldier's wounds and then carried the man back to safety. Howse later served in World War I, landing with the Gallipoli forces. He had a distinguished service record, rising to the rank of Surgeon General. He was knighted in 1917. His award remains the only Victoria Cross to be received by a member of the Australian medical forces.

Sir Neville Howse joined the Medical Corps as Lieutenant in 1899 and arrived in South Africa in February, 1900. By July, 1900, when he performed the heroic actions which led to his Victoria Cross award, he was a Captain. In a distinguished life, Sir Neville Howse served in Gallipoli and France, rising to the rank of General.

He was knighted, became Surgeon General of the Australian Army, was elected Mayor of his home town of Orange in N.S.W. and later elected as a Federal Member of Parliament, rising to serve as Federal Minister for Defence, Health and Home and Territories. He also represented Australia at the League of Nations. His final title was Major-General The Honourable Sir Neville Reginald Howse, VC, KCB, KCMG, FRCS.Eng, MP.

The 2000 Victoria Cross dollar coin was enclosed in a see-both-sides, fold-out cardboard pack, protected by a cardborad sleeve.

The coin was also included on Postal Numismatic first day covers released jointly by the Canberra Mint and Australia Post and in unofficial 1984-2001 21-Coin One Dollar Commemorative Sets issued by various Australian coin dealers.