Australia 1998 50 Cents Bass Strait
2,970 views · Published 7 November 2018 · 5:42 · Indexed 23 October 2026
Channel: DC Coin World · 2018 · Education
Bass and Flinders Circumnavigate Tasmania Country Australia Type Circulating commemorative coin Year 1998 Value 50 Cents 0.50 AUD = 0.36 USD Metal Copper-nickel Weight 15.55 g Diameter 31.5 mm Thickness 3 mm Shape Dodecagonal (12-sided) Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑ References KM# 364, Schön# 376 Commemorative issue 200th Anniversary of the Discovery of Bass Strait Obverse 3rd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing the King George IV State Diadem Lettering: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1998 RDM Engraver: Raphael David Maklouf Reverse Portraits of Bass and Flinders, a map of part of Australia and all of Tasmania and a depiction of the route they took Lettering: GEORGE BASS MATTHEW FLINDERS DISCOVERY OF BASS STRAIT 1798-1998 50 Engraver: Vladimir Gottwald Edge 12 Sided Smooth Comments This coin commemorates the Bicentennial of the discovery of Bass strait. This strait sits between Australia and Tasmania. This expedition proved that Tasmania was an island. During the voyage in 1798 in the sailing boat the "Norfolk", Bass and Flinders circumnavigated the island of Tasmania establishing that it was in fact separated from the main part of Australia. George Bass and Matthew Flinders were leading the expedition. The Strait was named after Bass and an island in Bass Strait is named after Flinders. https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces9557.html
