Royal Australian Mint's Queen Elizabeth commemorative coins face backlash over portrait design
The Royal Australian Mint has found itself at the centre of an unexpected controversy following the release of two commemorative coins honouring the late Queen Elizabeth II. The silver proof coins, issued to mark what would have been the monarch's 100th birthday, have been widely criticised on social media for their portrait design, with many observers claiming the depiction bears little resemblance to the beloved sovereign.
Unflattering comparisons to popular culture figures
Social media platforms have been flooded with unfavourable comparisons since the coins' unveiling, with the front-facing portrait being likened to animated character Shrek and Robin Williams' iconic Mrs Doubtfire from the 1990s film. One particularly scathing comment suggested the Queen appeared as though she had "just run into a wall," while another questioned whether dental prosthetics had been forgotten on the sitting day. The criticism has been sufficiently widespread to prompt an official response from the minting authority.
Mint defends "palace approved" design
In response to the mounting criticism, the Royal Australian Mint released a statement defending their artistic choices. The organisation emphasised that the design had received palace approval and sought to reflect "the many facets of Queen Elizabeth II's life and legacy." They acknowledged that coin images "don't always capture the full beauty of a design once it's etched in metal," while praising artist Aleksandra Stokic's portrait as being rendered with "warmth and dignity."
The commemorative pieces include a $5 (£2.56) and 50c (26p) silver coin, both featuring symbols representing the Queen's life, including her beloved corgis and horses. The reverse side displays a portrait of King Charles, creating a dual tribute within the collection.
Collector demand remains strong despite controversy
Despite the aesthetic criticism, the coins have proven remarkably popular among numismatic enthusiasts. Local media reports indicate that the entire limited edition run has already sold out, with the mint producing just 30,000 of the 50c coins and 5,000 of the $5 pieces. These are strictly collector's items that will not enter general circulation, making them particularly desirable to serious collectors regardless of the portrait controversy.
The Royal Australian Mint described the coins as celebrating Queen Elizabeth's "remarkable life of devotion and humanity" one hundred years after her birth. While the artistic execution has divided opinion, the commemorative intention behind the release remains clear - to honour a monarch whose reign spanned seven decades and left an indelible mark on the Commonwealth.
