71

QUEEN MOTHER 1900-2002
A CELEBRATION OF HER LIFE 1oz SILVER COIN

Australia's National Mint - The Royal Australian Mint has released
this coin as a tribute to and the celebration of the life of the
Queen Mother - a long, well-lived life that was both a fascination
and an inspiration to millions of people in Australia and around
the world. Carefully chosen images and colours for the presentation
case and outer packaging complement the beauty of the design of this
one ounce pure silver $5 proof coin that was created by Stuart Devlin.
The image on the coin was taken from a photograph of the Duchess of
York when she first visited Australia in 1927. It shows the Duchess
watching the Adelaide Cup being run at the Morphettville Racecourse in
South Australia in May of that year. The long and fruitful life of the
Queen Mother, as she became known following the accession of her
daughter to the throne on 6th February 1952, began in the closing months
of the 19th century and spanned the entire 20th century - a century of
arguably the greatest change ever seen in a hundred year period. Born
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon on 4th August 1900, she was the
ninth of ten children of Claude George Bowes-Lyon and his wife Nina
Cecilia Cavendich-Bentwick, who several years after her birth, were to
become, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore. Elizabeth, as she was
commonly called, spent the majority of her younger years at Glamis Castle
in Scotland, her family home, though some time was also spent at her
family's other properties. At the age of nineteen, she made her social
debut in London and thereafter followed a number of years of social
engagements. In the meantime, Albert, the second son of the ruling
monarch King George V, patiently and persistently sought her hand in
marriage. However, it was not until 1923 that his third proposal was
accepted, and three months later they were married at Westminster
Abbey. Quickly dubbed 'the smiling Duchess' by the media of the day,
the newly wed Elizabeth was a favourite of the Royal Family and the
general public. Following her marriage, she and her husband Prince
Albert assumed the title of Duke and Duchess of York. After the
abdication of King Edward VIII, Prince Albert's brother, when he
was forced to choose between the throne and marrying a divorcee,
the couple was crowned on the 12th May 1937 as King and Queen, and
quickly undertook their monarchical duties. The failing health of
King George VI culminated in his death on 6th February 1952. The
accession to the throne of the then Princess Elizabeth was immediate,
although she was in Kenya on a tour of the Commonwealth on the behalf
of her father who was too ill to travel. Fittingly, Queen Elizabeth
was to retain the title of 'The Queen Mother', rather than the more
official one of 'Queen Dowager'. She retained the status and title until
her death. The dawn of the 21st century saw further deterioration in
the health of the beloved Queen Mother, and her life came to a quiet
and peaceful end on 30th March 2002 with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II,
at her side. The Queen Mother's life spanned the entire 20th century
and Australia's modern era as a Federation, saw the passage of some
27 Australian Prime Ministers and some 20 British leaders. She lived
through one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of mankind,
witnessing tragedies and triumphs alike. Her Majesty was as a constant
in an ever-changing world, bringing a semblance of stability and acting
as a reference point in the lives of millions of ordinary people worldwide.
This is a striking coin that has been made from 99.9% pure silver and
has a monetary value of $5.00. There was a limited mintage on this coin,
so that only 30,000 coins will be issued. Inside is a booklet containing
even more information about the life and times of the Queen Mother.
This brilliant piece of craftsmanship comes to you complete in a white
leather presentation case and has a Certificate of Authenticity accompanying it.

ABSOLUTLY STUNNING COIN!!

ONLY $65.00AU

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