Great Britain and the Commonwealth Nations
Although Great Britain and its monarchy survived the turbulent 20th century intact,
the colonial empire that was at its height in the 19th century gradually
disintegrated into independent countries. Many of these new autonomous states,
including Canada and Australia, continue to maintain ties with Britain and strike
coins with images of the British monarch.
British gold 2 pounds (1911) struck
for King George V (1910-1936) depicting St. George on horseback slaying a dragon.
British copper-nickel 50 new pence
(1978) with a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
Canadian aureate-bronze plated nickel
dollar (1993). Because of the loon image, these coins are often
nicknamed "loonies." These dollar coins replaced Canadian paper dollars in 1987. An
average paper dollarlasts 18 months in circulation while a dollar coin lasts almost
30 years.
Australian copper-nickel 50 cents
(1971) with the state coat of arms.