This is the 2013 'C' Mintmark 60th Anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II $2 Coin. It is second ‘C’ Mintmaked type of the coloured $2 circulating coins created by the Royal Australian Mint. These low mintage coins are a very popular item among collectors which have seen prices continue to rise.

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place on 2nd of June 1953, and was an event that captured the imagination of the entire world. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of this momentous occasion, the Royal Australian Mint released three stunning commemorative coins. This highly sought-after coin release was accompanied a proof and an uncirculated regal looking 50c coin.

On the 21st of June 2013 the Royal Australian Mint reported through a Media Release that: “Today banks around the country will start receiving these coins for distribution so we should start seeing them in our change very soon.

For those Australians who can’t wait for the coin to appear in their change, they can be purchased for face value in a bag of five from the Mint for the next month or while stocks last. Demand for the coin has been high, due to the staged reveal of the design online www.colourfulchange.com.au (an informative interactive website about the RAM’s minting process).

The bag of five 2013 60th anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II $2 coloured circulating coins is available to buy from the Mint Call Centre on 1300 652 020 from today. The cost is $10 face value plus postage.”

The Mint reported on the same day; similar information to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), revealing that 2’000’000 coins would be released into circulation. Although the actual mintage as reported in the RAM 2012 – 2013 annual report informs us that 995’000 of the circulating type coins were produced.

Following up from the previous Red Poppy article, it is also interesting to see the Mint further highlight their “innovative” techniques in applying paint to metal on the coins. Bernie Ripoll MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer speaking for the RAM said: “This is another fine example of innovation from the Royal Australian Mint and it is a great way to help educate and create awareness of milestones that are important to the Australian community.” He also stated that “This is another fine example of innovation from the Royal Australian Mint…”

The ABC also reported that: “Royal Australian Mint CEO Ross MacDiarmid says improved technology will make the purple last longer…. It's always a bit of a challenge, as far as we know there's no colour that can actually continuously survive on any metal,”

Mr MacDiarmid also explicitly states that they have “come up” with a technology in applying paint to metal: “So we've come up with a technology and a capability that enables us to ensure that the colour stays on this particular coin as long as possible, and we're still working on trying to find a longer-term solution." Both the ABC and RAM Media Release are included in this article under resources.

It was also interesting to see the RAM recognise social media conversation about the $2 coin “discussion across Facebook, Twitter and Reddit about what the Mint’s colourful change could be”.

Mint Issue Number 99; released by the Royal Australian Mint in November 2013, shows that the 2013 $2 Colour Printed ‘C’ Mintmark Uncirculated Coin retailed for a price of $12.95.

The coin’s reverse was designed by Aleksandra Stokic. Since 2011 Ms Stokic has worked as a senior coin sculptor and coin designer for the Royal Australian Mint. Aleksandra is the artist behind some of the Mint’s iconic pieces such as the 2013 Centenary of Canberra and Australian Mining designs.

Reviewing the 2012 - 2013 annual report we can see 11’202 of the ‘C’ Minted type were produced, plus an additional 23’765 recorded in the 2013 – 2014 document.

Release: 2013
Mintage: 34’967

RESOURCES

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 21/06/2013: Purple-striped coin celebrates 60th anniversary of Queen's coronation - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-21/purple-striped-coin-queen-60th-anniversary-coronation/4772456

RAM Media Release 21/06/2013: Governor-General launches Australia's first purple striped coin - https://www.ramint.gov.au/publications/governor-general-launches-australias-first-purple-striped-coin 

Canadian Coin News 13/02/2018: RCM sues Australian Mint over patent infringement - https://canadiancoinnews.com/rcm-sues-australian-mint-patent-infringement/

National Post 10/09/2018: Canadian and Australian mints resolve legal battle over 'Possum Magic,' Remembrance Day coins - https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/canadian-and-australian-mints-resolve-legal-battle-over-possum-magic-remembrance-day-coins

RAM Learning 28/08/2021: Meet the Minties - https://www.ramint.gov.au/meet-minties

Mint Issue 99
November 2013: https://www.ramint.gov.au/publications/november-2013-mint-issue-no-99

Annual Reports
2012 – 2013: https://www.ramint.gov.au/sites/default/files/2013_annualreport.pdf#page=1 

2013 – 2014: https://www.ramint.gov.au/sites/default/files/2014_annualreport.pdf#page=1