Australian Commemorative Coins Spark Debate Over Queen's Image, with Some Saying it Looks More Like Shrek Than the Royal Icon.
A recent release by the Royal Australian Mint has sparked controversy over its commemorative coins celebrating the late Queen Elizabeth II, with many collectors expressing their disappointment at what they see as an unflattering portrait of the monarch. The Β£2.56 coin and 26p coin, which were released online, have been likened to a character from a children's film - Shrek - with some even jokingly suggesting that the Queen was not present to approve the design.
Despite criticism, the mint has defended its image, stating that once the design is etched into metal, it may not accurately capture the full beauty of the original portrait. The coins feature a front-facing portrait of the Queen surrounded by symbols representing her life and passions, including horses, corgis, theatre, art, and flowers.
Not all collectors are dissatisfied with the image, however, with some describing it as "awesome" and "beautiful". Despite this, many have taken to social media to express their discontent, with one collector even commenting that the coin does not resemble the Queen at all. The silver proof coins have sold out, and limited stocks remain available for collectors who are eager to own a piece of Australian history.
The mint produced 30,000 of the smaller coins and 5,000 of the larger ones, which will be highly sought after by collectors due to their rarity. The backs of both coins feature a portrait of King Charles III in profile, marking an important step forward for the young monarch as he takes on his role following his mother's passing.
A recent release by the Royal Australian Mint has sparked controversy over its commemorative coins celebrating the late Queen Elizabeth II, with many collectors expressing their disappointment at what they see as an unflattering portrait of the monarch. The Β£2.56 coin and 26p coin, which were released online, have been likened to a character from a children's film - Shrek - with some even jokingly suggesting that the Queen was not present to approve the design.
Despite criticism, the mint has defended its image, stating that once the design is etched into metal, it may not accurately capture the full beauty of the original portrait. The coins feature a front-facing portrait of the Queen surrounded by symbols representing her life and passions, including horses, corgis, theatre, art, and flowers.
Not all collectors are dissatisfied with the image, however, with some describing it as "awesome" and "beautiful". Despite this, many have taken to social media to express their discontent, with one collector even commenting that the coin does not resemble the Queen at all. The silver proof coins have sold out, and limited stocks remain available for collectors who are eager to own a piece of Australian history.
The mint produced 30,000 of the smaller coins and 5,000 of the larger ones, which will be highly sought after by collectors due to their rarity. The backs of both coins feature a portrait of King Charles III in profile, marking an important step forward for the young monarch as he takes on his role following his mother's passing.