1999 TWO DOLLARS - .999 Silver 1920 'S' Sovereign

Obverse:Queen Elizabeth II - Design by Ian Rank-Broadley.
Legend: ELIZABETH. II. AUSTRALIA 1999
Reverse:1920 'S' Sovereign - Design by Benedetto Pistrucci.
Legend: 1999 MASTERPIECES IN SILVER
Edge:Reeded - continuous mill.
Weight:13.36 grams.
Size:28.52 mm (diameter).
Composition:.999 Silver
Mintage:Canberra - 15,000.
Mintmarks:None.

Valuation :
1999 TWO DOLLARS - .999 Silver - 1920 'S' Sovereign

Proof
2002

Notes:

This coin was not issued for circulation. It was included as part of a 6 coin proof Masterpieces in Silver - Coins of the 20th Century - Memories set released by the Canberra mint.

Conquering Horizons

With World War I over, a sense of optimism began to permeate throughout the nation. It was lifted further when in the 1920's a Brisbane born aviator conquered the skies. In 1928 Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith, 'Smithy', made the first successful aeroplane crossing of the Pacific Ocean from California to Brisbane. Later he was to make further history flying over the Atlantic and solo from England to Australia.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Mint was going broke making money. Records show that only 360,000 sovereigns were produced in Sydney in 1920. Although Perth and Melbourne Mints also produced them, only a handful of Sydney-struck 1920 sovereigns are known to exist today. The fate of those sovereigns, bearing the reverse design of St George as interpreted by designer Benedetto Pistrucci, is unknown. It is thought some were melted down in bullion hungry destinations such as India and England.

Source: Booklet accompanying the 1999 Masterpieces in Silver - Coins of the 20th Century - Memories - Set.

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