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

1996 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Centenary of Sir Henry Parkes: "Father of Federation":

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 Design:

• Political Tribute: Marks the centenary of the death of Sir Henry Parkes (1815–1896), the five-time Premier of New South Wales and tireless advocate for a united Australia.
• Detailed Reverse: Features a portrait of Sir Henry Parkes designed by Wojciech Pietranik.
• Classic Obverse: Features the third definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Raphael Maklouf.
• Ultra-Rare Canberra Show Release: According to the latest Numista data, a tiny mintage of just 1,500 coins was released specifically for the Canberra Show. This is one of the lowest mintage varieties for any carded decimal dollar, making it a "holy grail" for variety and packaging collectors.
• Uncirculated Finish: Struck in aluminium bronze to the Mint’s high uncirculated standard.

Specifications:

• Year: 1996
• Denomination: $1
• Metal: Aluminium Bronze
• Mintmarks & Mintages (Numista Ref: N# 7356):
  • 'C' Mintmark (Royal Canberra Show Card): 1,500
  • 'C' Mintmark (Gallery Press MYO): 149,600
  • 'B' Mintmark (Royal Brisbane Show): 30,000
  • 'S' Mintmark (Sydney Royal Show): 72,186
  • 'M' Mintmark (Melbourne Royal Show): 38,030
  • 'A' Mintmark (Adelaide Royal Show): 29,127
• Mint: Royal Australian Mint

Condition and Presentation:

• Condition: Coin remain in uncirculated condition.
• Presentation: Housed in the original official Royal Australian Mint presentation card.
• Packaging Note: The original coin cards are supplied folded and remain in good, clean condition.
• Natural 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 long-term protection, coins may be transferred to archival-quality Mylar coin flips.