Australia's Queen portrait on commemorative coins sparks online debate
Two commemorative coins—$5 and 50c silver pieces—issued by the Royal Australian Mint to mark the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth drew online scrutiny for an unflattering portrait. The mint defended the etched image, noting coin designs can look different in metal; the coins are collectors’ items, not for general circulation, with 30,000 of the 50c and 5,000 of the $5 produced. Designs reflect the Queen’s life (horse and corgi, art, theatre, flowers, golden wattle) and the reverse bears a portrait of King Charles.