1 Dollar - Elizabeth II 4th Portrait - Year of the Goat - Colored

Historical Context: This 2015 Australian one-dollar coin is emblematic of the latter period of Queen Elizabeth II's extensive reign, specifically featuring her fourth definitive portrait. As Head of the Commonwealth, her effigy consistently graced Australian coinage, reflecting the nation's constitutional monarchy. The "Year of the Goat" theme, part of the widely popular Lunar Series, underscores Australia's multicultural demographic and strong economic ties with East Asia, a strategic numismatic market for the Royal Australian Mint and Perth Mint, which often produce such themed issues. This series capitalizes on traditional Chinese zodiac symbolism, appealing to both collectors and cultural enthusiasts globally.

Artistry: The obverse features the Fourth Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley (IRB), distinguished by its realistic and mature depiction, widely adopted across Commonwealth coinage from 1998 to 2015. The reverse, depicting the "Year of the Goat," showcases contemporary numismatic artistry, characterized by intricate detailing of the animal, likely rendered by an in-house designer from the producing mint. The "Colored" designation indicates the application of pad printing, a modern technique that adds vibrant, durable color to specific design elements, enhancing visual appeal and collectible novelty, a common feature in modern commemorative issues from Australia.

Technical/Grading: For this .999 silver, 31.1035g (one troy ounce) coin with a substantial 45.6mm diameter, key grading points include the integrity of the pad-printed coloration on the reverse; any chipping, fading, or scratching of this layer significantly impacts value. On the obverse, high points of the Rank-Broadley portrait susceptible to friction are the Queen's hair above the ear and the highest points of the crown. The large, often proof-like fields should be free of hairlines, bag marks, or scuffs. The striking quality of the goat's fur texture and horn details on the reverse is also critical for assessing overall preservation.