1997 $1 Uncirculated Two-Coin Set – Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Centenary (1897–1935)

1997 $1 Uncirculated Two-Coin Set – Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Centenary (1897–1935)

Celebrate the life, daring feats, and aviation legacy of pioneer aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith with this official 1997 $1 uncirculated two-coin set from the Royal Australian Mint. Issued to mark the centenary of his birth, this set commemorates the man widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest aviation heroes.

Struck in aluminium bronze to the Mint's uncirculated standard, this unique set contains two distinct $1 reverse designs: the initial "small head" portrait set against a world map, and the revised "large head" portrait design. Housed together in their original thematic display card, this set is strictly capped at a low mintage of 50,500 sets worldwide.

Specifications

• Year of Issue: 1997
• Theme: Centenary of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith (1897–1935)
• Denomination: $1 (Two-Coin Set)
• Finish: Uncirculated
• Metal Content: Aluminium Bronze (AlBr)
• Mass: 9.00g (Each)
• Diameter: 25.00mm (Each)
• Maximum Mintage: Limited to 50,500 sets
• Obverse Effigy: Raphael Maklouf portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
• Reverse Designers: Royal Australian Mint Design Staff
• Packaging: Official Royal Australian Mint dual-coin presentation card
• Issuer / Mint: Royal Australian Mint, Canberra

Design Details & Key Features

• Dual Reverse Design Variety: Includes both the "small head" portrait with world map background and the revised "large head" portrait design, capturing a classic Australian numismatic design variation.
• Aviation Hero Tribute: Honours Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, pioneer of the first trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia in 1928.
• Raphael Maklouf Obverse: Features the official 3rd circulating coinage effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
• Low Mintage Dual Set: Limited to just 50,500 sets, making it an essential pairing for Australian decimal dollar completeness.

Condition and Presentation Note

• Uncirculated Standard Quality: Both coins remain untouched in original uncirculated condition inside their protective card housing.
• Packaging Wear Note: Official presentation cards and outer paper sleeves may display minor superficial edge wear, subtle corner softening, or light handling marks consistent with manufacturing, transit, and warehousing.