2016 Australia Northern Sky Cassiopeia $5 Silver Coin

Description:

From the Royal Australian Mint:

This is the first coin of a three-coin Northern Sky series featuring the celebrated domed shape coin. In Greek mythology, Cassiopeia was the beautiful but boastful queen of Ethiopia. While her beauty could never be questioned, her vanity became her tragic legacy. Cassiopeia can still be seen in the northern skies today, with her throne circling the celestial pole and her arm desperately hanging on. As per Poseidon’s wishes, the constellation is sometimes seen upside down, and appears as either an M or W depending on when it is being viewed. After being catalogued in the second century by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy it is still classed as one of today’s 88 modern constellations.

Issue date: December 1, 2015. Issue price: 109.09 AUD (domestic) and $120 AUD (international).

Obverse:

Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II sits in the center of the coin. Rank-Broadley’s initials IRB are located just beneath the bust truncation. Wrapping around the coin are the following inscriptions: ELIZABETH II, AUSTRALIA, and 2016.

Reverse:

The constellation Cassiopeia as seen at night from a wooded location.  The coin’s coloration evokes the gold and blue hues of the northern lights. Lines of latitude and longitude are offset to the left of center and extend to the bottom right. Wrapping around the design are the inscriptions: NORTHERN SKY · CASSIOPEIA (top) and FIVE DOLLARS (bottom).

Designer(s):  Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II has appeared on coins from the UK and the Commonwealth since 1999. View Designer’s Profile.

Coin Specifications:

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