Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (2024)

The two dollar coin was first introduced on 20 June 1988. Planning for a two dollar coin commenced around the same time as that for the one dollar coin. Like the one dollar, the two dollar coin replaced the note of the same denomination which had a short service life through high use.

The image on the Australian two dollar coin represents an archetype of an Aboriginal tribal elder, designed by Horst Hahne.

Numerous designers were invited to contribute designs for the two dollar coin based on a brief to include a representation of the head and shoulders of an Aboriginal Australian, the Southern Cross and Australian flora.

The selected design was inspired by an artwork by Ainslie Roberts and modified in line with coin production requirements. Roberts used some features of Gwoya Tjungurrayi, otherwise known as One Pound Jimmy, as inspiration when creating a portrait depicting a traditional Aboriginal tribal elder. The rest of the features were derived from Roberts’ imagination and visual memory developed after drawing thousands of images of Indigenous people.

The size of the two dollar was determined after consideration of the needs of the visually impaired community, security considerations, a desire to avoid shaped coins, practical limitations to the diameter and thickness of coins, and to allow for future expansion of Australia's circulating coin array. When introduced, it was necessary to accommodate this new coin with seven existing denominations.

This denomination has since been used for commemorative designs.

Nominal Specifications

Composition

Shape

Edge

Mass

Diameter

92% Copper – 6% Aluminium – 2% Nickel

Circular

Interrupted Milled

6.60 grams

20.50 millimetres

Mintage Figures

Reverse Design

Design Details

Year

Mintage
(millions)

Mint*

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (1)

Designed by Horst Hahne. The 1988 and 1989 dated coins carried the designer’s initials.

1988

1989

160.9

31.6

RAM

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (2)

Designed by Horst Hahne. The designer’s initials were removed from the coins from 1990 onwards.

1990

10.3

RAM

No two dollar coins were produced in 1991.

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (3)

Designed by Horst Hahne. The designer’s initials were removed from the coins from 1990 onwards

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

15.5

4.9

22.1

15.5

13.9

19.0

8.7

27.3

5.7

35.6

29.7

13.7

20.0

45.5

40.5

26.0

47.0

74.5

36.5

1.8

5.9

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (4)

Commemorating Remembrance Day with an image of a poppy. Designed by Aaron Baggio.

2012

5.8

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (5)

Commemorating Remembrance Day with an image of a red poppy. Designed by Aaron Baggio.

2012

0.5

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (6)

Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with concentric purple stripes and a central design feature of St Edward’s Crown. Designed by Aleksandra Stokic.

2013

1.0

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (7)

Designed by Horst Hahne. The designer’s initials were removed from the coins from 1990 onwards

2013

2014

35.1

39.9

RAM

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (8)

Commemorating Remembrance Day with a dove and olive branch surrounded by concentric green stripes and rays of sunlight inspired by the original Rising Sun badge of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces. Designed by Royal Australian Mint.

2014

1.85

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (9)

Designed by Horst Hahne. The designer’s initials were removed from the coins from 1990 onwards

2015

22.053

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (10)

Commemorating 100 years since the Anzac Cove landings, inspired by the poppy, the distinctive and powerful red coloured print encapsulates the solemn words ‘Lest We Forget’. Designed by Aleksandra Stokic.

2015

1.46

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (11)

Commemorating In Flanders Fields sculpted larks surround orange coloured rings representing the sunset glow. Designed by Royal Australian Mint.

2015

2.15

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (12)

Celebratingthe 50th anniversary of decimal currency

2016

2.88

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (13)

Designed by Horst Hahne. The designer’s initials were removed from the coins from 1990 onwards

2016

35.77

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (14)

An artistic depiction of Napier Waller’s mosaic from the Australian War Memorial’s Hall of Memory. Designed by Royal Australian Mint.

2017

3.98

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (15)

Designed by Horst Hahne. The designer’s initials were removed from the coins from 1990 onwards

2017

16.4

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (16)

The distinctive pointed leaves and purple flowers of the herb rosemary make a moving and evocative design. Designed by the Royal Australian Mint.

2017

2.1

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (17)

A striking and evocative design that is inspired by the Eternal Flame at the Australian War Memorial. Designed by the Royal Australian Mint.

2018

5.7

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (18)

Designed by Horst Hahne. The designer’s initials were removed from the coins from 1990 onwards

2018

14.6

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (19)

In 2018 Australia hosts the Invictus Games where brave athletes who have overcome life-changing events will share with us their challenges and triumphs

2018

2.5

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (20)

This coin honours those who have fallen and commemorates the 100th anniversary of the First World War Armistice, signed on November 11,1918

2018

2.0

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (21)

Commemorating a century of repatriation in Australia.

2019

2.0

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (22)

Designed by Horst Hahne. The designer’s initials were removed from the coins from 1990 onwards

2019(IRB)

2019 (JC)

10.6

2.0

RAM

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (23)

Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of National Police Remembrance Day.

2019

2.0

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (24)

Commemorating the 75thanniversary of the End of World War II

2020

2.0

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (25)

Designed by Horst Hahne. The designer’s initials were removed from the coins from 1990 onwards

New Queen's Effigy - Jody Clark

2020

16.1

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (26)

A poignant reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of Australia’s firefighters.

2020

2.0

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (27)

Designed by Horst Hahne. The designer’s initials were removed from the coins from 1990 onwards

New Queen's Effigy - Jody Clark

2021

13.9

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (28)

Commemorating Indigenous Australians, long standing tradition of serving in the military

2021

2.0

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (29)

Commemorating Australia's brave and skilled ambulance service personnel and the vital, mobile healthcare they provide.

2021

2.0

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (30)

50th Anniversary of the Aboriginal Flag

2021

2.00

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (31)

Designed by Horst Hahne. The designer’s initials were removed from the coins from 1990 onwards

New Queen's Effigy - Jody Clark

2022

32.252

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (32)

Frontline Workers

2022

2.0

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (33)

Honey Bee

2022

2.0

RAM

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (34)75th Anniversary of Peacekeeping20222.0RAM
Notes for using these tables:

These are currentmintages where the numbers have been published in an Annual Report. Items marked not available will be updated when they pass the Annual Report and issue test.

*RAM = Royal Australian Mint; RCM = Royal Canadian Mint; RML = Royal Mint, London; RMLL=Royal Mint, Llantrisant

**Mintage corrected.

Explore other circulating coins

One Cent

Two Cents

Five Cents

Ten Cents

Twenty Cents

Fifty Cents

One Dollar

Two Dollars | Royal Australian Mint (2024)

FAQs

What year were $2 coins minted in Australia? ›

Australian two-dollar coin
Thickness2.80 mm
Edgeinterrupted milled 20 notches
Composition92% copper, 6% aluminium, 2% nickel
Years of minting1988–present
Obverse
12 more rows

What is the most valuable Australian $2 coin? ›

A 2012 coloured red poppy $2 coin, in mint condition, could sell for $280 because only half a million coins were produced using that design, Mr Kandiah said. "The 2013 coronation two dollar coin has a low mintage of 994,000, that coin can be worth anywhere between $40 and $140 depending on condition," he said.

What makes the 1988 $2 coin rare? ›

The 1988 and 1989 dated coins carried the designer's initials. Designed by Horst Hahne. The designer's initials were removed from the coins from 1990 onwards. No two dollar coins were produced in 1991.

Is the Australian $2 dollar coin gold? ›

The $2 coin is made of 92% copper, 6% aluminium and 2% nickel. It is circular in shape, and has an interrupted milled edge. It weighs 6.6 grams and is 20.5 millimetres in diameter. The 1 and 2 cent coins were first introduced with decimalisation on 14 February 1966.

Are $2 Australian notes worth anything? ›

Some $2 bank notes can also be valuable if they have certain serial numbers or are in mint condition, Sterling and Currency said, with some of the oldest bills worth up to $5,000.

What is the error on the 1988 $2 coin? ›

As you can see from the image above, the surface layer of the coin has peeled over the roman numerals 'II' and is also separated at the effigy section of the Queen's hair. This lamination error has caused a crack to continue up through the crown.

What is the most sought after Australian coin? ›

The 1930 penny is the most famous and valuable, with only a few known to exist, making it exceptionally rare. Other notable years include 1925, 1946 and 1955, especially those with unique mint marks. Pennies from specific mints, like the Melbourne Mint, are also highly coveted.

How do you know if you have a rare 2 coin? ›

Overall, it's pretty straightforward. The deciding factors are historic significance, how many were issued (or 'minted'), interesting designs and the condition of the coin. Uniqueness is also important. For example, you might not find a coin with an 'error' – like a missing date – very interesting.

What is the rarest Australian dollar? ›

Although there are not many truly rare one dollar coins from Australia, the 2000 "mule" dollar is the most valuable $1 coin from Australia. It has become one of the most widely known collectible decimal coins with regular exposure in the media.

How much is a 1988 hh $2 coin worth today in Australia? ›

A seemingly rare Australian $2 coin is selling for thousands of dollars online - but experts warn it's worth no more than face value. The 'HH' stamp can be found on $2 coins minted between 1988 and 1989.

What is the HH on the Australian $2 coin? ›

The "HH" initials on the 1988 and 1989 $2 Australian coins signify the designer, Horst Hahne. Contrary to some beliefs about their rarity and high collectability, these coins are actually quite common. Horst Hahne, a notable artist, embedded his initials discreetly on these coins' design.

What $2 are rare? ›

To find the value of your $2 bill, look at the year and seal color. Bills with red, brown and blue seals from 1862 through 1917 can be worth up to $1,000 or more on the U.S. Currency Auctions website, which bases the value on recent and past paper currency auctions.

What is the Australian $2 coin with red ring? ›

Australian Olympic Team Coin commemorating the 2016 Olympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro showcasing the red ring, emblem and athletes.

Who is the person on the Australian $2 dollar coin? ›

Gwoya Tjungurrayi is the man depicted on the $2 coin and was a boomerang salesman and elder in Central Australia. If the change is permitted, it will replace the current name of Stuart, after the Scottish pioneer John McDouall Stuart.

How much is a 1983 $200 koala coin worth? ›

Browse our catalog of Gold Coins below:
Coin NamePriceStatus
1983 Two Hundred Dollar Gold Proof Coin Koala$950.00 Last sold for this price on 18/10/2023Sold
1980 Two Hundred Dollar Gold Proof Coin Koala$1,100.00 Last sold for this price on 14/6/2024Sold
1980 Two Hundred Dollar Gold Unc Coin Koala$1,125.00Available Now
71 more rows

How much is a 1966 $2 bill worth? ›

Answer and Explanation: If you have one of the old $2 bills that were printed through 1966, your $2 bill might be worth more than $2. Depending on the condition of your bill, its age, and which type of $2 bill you have, it could be worth from $200 to more than $1,000!

What is the Australian $2 coin 2018? ›

SINGLE COIN Struck by the Royal Australian Mint dated 2018 this Lest We Forget ANZAC two dollar al/bronze uncirculated features a striking design which is inspired by the Eternal Flame at the Austr... To mark the century of remembrance the Royal Australian Mint has released this 'C' mintmark coloured $2 coin.

What is the error on the 2008 $2 coin? ›

Blank missed the rim forming process and failed to engage fully with collar die when struck resulting in the distinctive railroad rim of a partial collar error. Very unusual on a Two Dollar coin.

Did Australia mint coins in 1965? ›

The Mint officially opened in Canberra in 1965. Its first tasks were to produce distinctively Australian coinage and facilitate a smooth changeover from British imperial pounds, shillings and pence to Australia's own decimal dollars and cents.

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