2012 Three-Coin Uncirculated Set: Shores Under Siege – Bombing of Australia 1942

2012 Three-Coin Uncirculated Set: Shores Under Siege – Bombing of Australia 1942

Honour a pivotal yet often overlooked chapter of Australian history with this commemorative three-coin set. Released by the Royal Australian Mint to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1942–1943 attacks, the "Shores Under Siege" collection serves as a powerful tribute to the resilience and unity of the Australian people during World War II.

Between February 1942 and November 1943, the Australian mainland and coastal waters were attacked at least 97 times. This set captures both the military defensive efforts and the civilian response to these events.

Key Features and Specifications

• Year of Issue: 2012
• Theme: 70th Anniversary of the Bombing of Australia (1942–1943)
• Set Composition: Three unique coins (one 50c and two 20c coins)
• Mintage: Strictly limited to 20,201 sets.
• Composition: Cupro-Nickel
• Finish: Uncirculated
• Legal Tender: Official Australian 50c and 20c coins.

Unique Reverse Designs

• 50c Coin – Impact Zones: Illustrates the various bombing and strafing sites across 1942, featuring dramatic impact zones layered over a map of Northern Australia.
• 20c Coin – Military Lookout: Features a lone sentry silhouetted against the sky, standing on a gun turret and surveying the horizon for incoming threats.
• 20c Coin – Air Raid Shelter: Depicts a group of civilians, including a young girl with a teddy bear, waiting to enter an air raid shelter as the community responds to the sirens.

Condition and Presentation

The set is presented in its original, highly thematic packaging. Each of the three coins is housed in its own individual "coin-in-card," and all three are tucked inside a commemorative envelope designed to replicate an authentic wartime telegraph.

Condition Note:

• Uncirculated Quality: The coins are in uncirculated condition, retaining their original mint brilliance and sharp relief.
• Packaging: Due to the nature of the "telegraph" envelope design and its 10+ year age, the outer packaging may show signs of light storage wear or minor creasing at the edges.