1 Dollar - Elizabeth II 2021

Weight

15.052 g

Diameter

35.89 mm

Thickness

NA

Material

Silver (.999) (Pad printed)

Shape

Round

Edge Type

Reeded

Technique

Milled

Front design

6th crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem and the Victorian Coronation Necklace

Back design

Starlit night sky with the outline of a shark drawn around large stars, lower half of coin shows a person kneeling in the landsacpe.

Year of Minting

2021

Queen

Elizabeth II (1952-2022)

Mint location

Royal Australian Mint , Canberra, Australia (1965-date)

Mint mark

NA

Orientation

Medal alignment ↑↑

Inscriptions

Obverse: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2021 · 1 DOLLAR · JC Reverse: THE SHARK IN THE STARS 1/2 oz .999 Ag

Context

To the Meriam people of Dauar Island in the Eastern Torres Strait, traditional law and customs have been shaped by the movements of the stars. The seven brightest stars in the Western constellation Ursa Major form Beziam meaning 'shark' in the Meriam Mir language Beizam lies across the northern sky at sunset in June during the Sager (dry season) when the south-easterly trade-winds blow. This tells the people it is time to plant banana, sugar cane and yam. When the nose of Beizam touches the water at dusk, the sharks begin breeding and swim close to shore as they feed on tup (sardines).As months pass Meriam people observe when Beizam dives into the sea. As water rushes through Beizam's gills it falls as the rains of the Kuki (wet season), signalled by flashes of lightning and tearing north-westerly winds.

Rarity

Ultra rare

Coin type

Non-circulating

In circulation

Yes

Demonetized

No

Marketplace listings

0