2009 $1 Coin - Inspirational Australians - Steve Irwin

2009 $1 Uncirculated Carded Coin – Inspirational Australians: Steve Irwin

Celebrate the life, passion, and enduring legacy of Australia’s world-famous "Crocodile Hunter" with this official 2009 $1 uncirculated coin from the Royal Australian Mint. As the second release in the highly popular Inspirational Australians series, this issue honours Steve Irwin (1962–2006) for his pioneering dedication to global wildlife conservation, Australia Zoo, and the Wildlife Warriors charity.

Struck in aluminium bronze to the Mint’s uncirculated standard, the coin's reverse artwork by Caitlin Goodall depicts Steve surrounded by the Australian wildlife he spent his life protecting. To capture fine facial features and detailed animal textures, the Mint utilised an advanced glass-beading technique during the die creation process. Strictly limited to a mintage of just 35,058 pieces worldwide, this release is a key low-mintage $1 issue for collectors.

Specifications

• Year of Issue: 2009
• Series: Inspirational Australians (Issue #2)
• Theme: Steve Irwin – Wildlife Conservation Pioneer
• Denomination: $1
• Finish: Uncirculated
• Metal Content: Aluminium Bronze (AlBr)
• Mass: 9.00g
• Diameter: 25.00mm
• Maximum Mintage: Limited to 35,058 coins
• Obverse Effigy: Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
• Reverse Designer: Caitlin Goodall
• Packaging: Official Royal Australian Mint "see-both-sides" presentation card
• Issuer / Mint: Royal Australian Mint, Canberra

Design Details & Key Features

• Conservation Legend Tribute: Honours Steve Irwin’s extraordinary contribution to environmental awareness, wildlife conservation, and Australian pop culture.
• Glass-Beaded Die Technique: Employs special glass-beading minting techniques to achieve ultra-fine detail across Steve’s portrait and native animal reliefs.
• Inspirational Series Issue: The second annual release in the Royal Australian Mint's popular series commemorating extraordinary nation-building Australians.
• Ian Rank-Broadley Obverse: Features the official 4th circulating coinage effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Condition and Presentation Note

• Uncirculated Standard Quality: Coin remains in original as-issued uncirculated condition, securely encapsulated within its display card.
• 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.