1996 $1 Coin - 100th Anniversary of the Death of Sir Henry Parkes

1996 $1 Sir Henry Parkes "Father of Federation" Commemorative Coin

Celebrate the legacy of the man often cited as the "Father of Federation" with this commemorative 1996 $1 coin. Sir Henry Parkes was a towering figure in 19th-century Australian politics, and his 1889 Tenterfield Oration is credited with providing the final momentum needed to unite the six separate colonies into one nation.

This coin was released by the Royal Australian Mint to mark the centenary of his death, featuring a portrait that captures the statesman’s influential presence.

Key Features and Specifications

• Year of Issue: 1996
• Theme: Centenary of the Death of Sir Henry Parkes (1815–1896)
• Reverse Design: A detailed portrait of Sir Henry Parkes by Wojciech Pietranik.
• Obverse Design: Features the third definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Raphael Maklouf.
• Available Mintmarks & Mintages:
  • 'C' Mintmark (Canberra): 272,800 (Gallery Press)
  • 'S' Mintmark (Sydney Royal Show): 72,186
  • 'B' Mintmark (Brisbane Royal Show): 41,128
  • 'M' Mintmark (Melbourne Royal Show): 38,030
  • 'A' Mintmark (Adelaide Royal Show): 29,127
• Composition: Aluminium Bronze
• Legal Tender: Official Australian $1 coin.

Historical Significance

Sir Henry Parkes served as Premier of New South Wales five separate times. While he did not live to see the formal Federation of Australia in 1901, his tireless advocacy for a "great national government" earned him his enduring title. This coin is a staple for collectors of Australian political history and decimal currency.

Condition and Presentation

Each coin is supplied in its original Royal Australian Mint presentation card, which contains a biography of Parkes and his role in the federation movement.

Condition Note:

• Packaging: The original coin cards are supplied folded and remain in good, clean condition.

• Coin Character: Given the age of these coins, some may display natural toning, which is a common and often desirable trait in older aluminium-bronze strikes.

• Preservation: To ensure the highest level of protection, some coins may be transferred to archival-quality Mylar coin flips if the original plastic housing has become compromised.