I love kangaroos on coins, especially when paired with lions. This must have some symbolic message other than a pictorial one of the local fauna. No lions in Australia! Except for in zoos, i suppose. Maybe the message is one of unity between England, three lions, and Australia, the roo. Maybe?
I've wanted to get that coin for awhile. I think you're exactly right. The lion seems to be a symbol of England, or perhaps the royal family (I'm sure someone from Britain could tell us). I'd say that's what it symbolizes. That coin commemorates a royal visit. The usual Australia symbol is the kangaroo and emu. Maybe the lion ate the emu?
Here's some other neat Australian coins since you started the topic. Two 50 cent coins and a more traditional florin.
If I were the Australian Mint director, I would commission a $1.00 coin depicting a boxing kangaroo and a 50 cent piece depicting an emu wearing a flight pack! Also, to honour the rather queer platypus I would commission a $2.38 coin that is also a token, a washer, and a medal.
The British royal coat of arms, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom is a lion and a unicorn. The Australian coat of arms is the roo and the emu, i guess the lion and the roo are a midway point lol.
I remember reading that it was the winner of a design contest for schoolchildren. It's interesting because it has the koala, which is probably just as iconic as the kangaroo, but to my knowledge there aren't any koalas on other Australian coins. If there are it's probably just special silver issues. I have a bunch of the dollar coins and the newer ones are kind of disappointing in my opinion. I love the kangaroo ones like the one I posted, but the newer ones are all commemorating something, like Boy Scouts or the Year of Peace or something. The designs don't do much for me.
the coin was issued for queen elizabeths first visit to australia as monarch, hence the british lion and the australain kangaroo.....
