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1 Dollar - Elizabeth II 4th Portrait - Treasures of Australia - Diamonds
| Issuer | Royal Australian Mint |
|---|---|
| Year | 2009 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Shape | Round (Locket with Diamonds) |
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| Obverse description | The obverse bears the fourth effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, facing right and wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara. Below the portrait is a locket-style recess containing genuine rough diamonds encased beneath a transparent dome. The legend encircling the field reads ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2009 1oz 999 SILVER 1 DOLLAR, with the engraver's initials IRB appearing below the portrait. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2009 1oz 999 SILVER 1 DOLLAR IRB |
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| Additional information |
The "Treasures of Australia" series, launched by the Royal Australian Mint in the mid-2000s, was designed around the country's four principal natural resources — gold, diamonds, sapphires, and opals. The diamond issue draws directly on the Argyle mine in Western Australia's Kimberley region, which by 2009 was producing over 90% of the world's pink diamonds and roughly a third of all natural diamonds globally by volume.
Argyle's output was extraordinary in quantity but complicated in quality — most stones were industrial grade. The mine closed permanently in 2020, a decision that has since driven pink diamond prices to record levels.