Product Description
Specifications
Product Overview
The 1993 Australian $10 Capital Territory Silver Proof Coin was issued by the Royal Australian Mint as the eighth and final release in the Australian States Series. The series celebrated Australia's states and territories through their heraldic emblems, with the Australian Capital Territory completing the collection in 1993.
Struck from 20 grams of sterling silver (.925) in proof quality, the coin features the Coat of Arms of the City of Canberra, traditionally used to represent the Australian Capital Territory. The reverse was designed by Horst Hahne, while the obverse carries Raphael Maklouf's effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.
With a diameter of 34mm, a denomination of $10 and a proof mintage of 21,183, this final State Series release brings together Australian heraldry, Canberra history and Royal Australian Mint craftsmanship in its original presentation format.
Key Features
- Struck from 20 grams of sterling silver (.925)
- Contains 18.5 grams of fine silver
- Australian legal tender with a denomination of $10
- Issued by the Royal Australian Mint in 1993
- Eighth and final coin in the Australian States Series
- Reverse designed by Horst Hahne
- Features Raphael Maklouf's effigy of Queen Elizabeth II
- Limited proof mintage of 21,183 coins
- Presented in a Royal Australian Mint presentation box
Design & Craftsmanship
Proof Finish
The coin was produced in proof quality, a specialised collector finish designed to highlight the detail of its heraldic design through carefully prepared dies and highly finished surfaces.
Struck in sterling silver, the coin weighs 20 grams and measures 34mm in diameter. Its reeded edge and substantial format are characteristic of the Royal Australian Mint's $10 silver collector coins of this period.
Design
Obverse
The obverse features the Raphael Maklouf portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right and wearing the George IV State Diadem.
The surrounding inscription reads ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1993, identifying the monarch, issuing country and year of release.
Reverse
Designed by Horst Hahne, the reverse features the Coat of Arms of the City of Canberra, used historically as a symbol for the Australian Capital Territory.
The heraldic design incorporates a shield with several symbols associated with Canberra and government, supported by a black Australian swan and a white European swan. The motto beneath the arms reads FOR THE QUEEN, THE LAW AND THE PEOPLE.
The surrounding inscription reads AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY, with the denomination 10 DOLLARSpositioned below.
The Australian States Series
The Australian Capital Territory coin completed the Royal Australian Mint's Australian States Series, a collection of eight sterling silver $10 coins celebrating Australia's six states and two mainland territories.
The series began with Victoria in 1985 and continued with:
- 1985 – Victoria
- 1986 – South Australia
- 1987 – New South Wales
- 1989 – Queensland
- 1990 – Western Australia
- 1991 – Tasmania
- 1992 – Northern Territory
- 1993 – Australian Capital Territory
No State Series coin was released in 1988, when Australia's Bicentenary was commemorated through a separate $10 silver issue.
Each State Series release used heraldic imagery associated with the featured state or territory, creating a distinctive eight-coin portrait of Australia's federation.
The coins were issued in both proof and uncirculated formats, with the proof versions presented as individual collector releases.
The Australian Capital Territory and Canberra
The Australian Capital Territory was established as the site of Australia's national capital after Federation. Land previously forming part of New South Wales was transferred to the Commonwealth in 1911, providing the territory in which the new capital would be built.
The name Canberra was formally announced for the capital in 1913, and the opening of Parliament House in Canberra in 1927 marked the transfer of the federal parliament from Melbourne to the new national capital.
Unlike Australia's states, the Australian Capital Territory historically did not have its own separate coat of arms. The Coat of Arms of the City of Canberra, granted by King George V in 1928, consequently became widely used as a symbol representing both Canberra and the ACT.
That heraldic connection made the Canberra arms a natural subject for the final coin in the Australian States Series.
Why Choose an Australian $10 Silver Proof Coin?
Royal Australian Mint $10 silver proof coins formed an important part of Australia's collector coin programme during the 1980s and 1990s. Their larger 34mm format provides space for more detailed commemorative designs than Australia's standard circulating coins.
The 1993 Australian Capital Territory release has additional significance as the final coin required to complete the eight-coin Australian States Series.
Its combination of sterling silver, proof finish, Australian heraldry and relatively low mintage gives the coin a distinctive place among Royal Australian Mint decimal collector issues from the period.
Who Is This Product Suited For?
The 1993 Capital Territory Silver Proof Coin may appeal to:
- Collectors completing the Australian States Series
- Royal Australian Mint collectors
- Collectors of Australian $10 coins
- Australian silver proof coin collectors
- Collectors interested in Canberra and ACT history
- Collectors of Australian heraldic designs
- Buyers looking for an Australian commemorative coin in presentation packaging
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Australian States Series?
The Australian States Series was an eight-coin Royal Australian Mint programme issued between 1985 and 1993. Each sterling silver $10 coin represented one of Australia's six states or two mainland territories through heraldic imagery associated with that jurisdiction.
Is the 1993 Capital Territory coin made from pure silver?
No. The coin is struck from sterling silver, consisting of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. At a total weight of 20 grams, this equates to approximately 18.5 grams of fine silver.
How many 1993 Capital Territory proof coins were produced?
The reported proof mintage is 21,183 coins. A separate uncirculated version was also produced, with a reported mintage of 19,288. The two versions were issued in different presentation formats.
Is this the final coin in the Australian States Series?
Yes. The Australian Capital Territory release was issued in 1993 as the eighth and final coin in the series, following the Northern Territory issue released in 1992.
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