The Kruger Gray design continued into this type, while after the coronation of Elizabeth II in late 1952, the design changed to the bust of Elizabeth II facing to the right with the legend, 'ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA', ('Elizabeth II, by the grace of god, queen'), designed by Mary Gillick. This legend was only used in 1953 and 1954, then was altered due to public outcry of the omission of 'FIDEI DEF' ('defender of the faith').
Both years are easy to acquire with some
Mint roll
A common means of distributing coins where a mint stores coins in paper rolls before distributing them to banks
mint rolls found of 1953
(Pacific Rim Coins, 2002) though are often have brown
Toning
Discolouration of the surface of a coin caused by environmental exposure
toning due to the paper used in rolling. The 1954 is much scarcer than most realize and is very difficult to source in
Mint state
A state of a coin that shows no signs of circulation
mint state grades
Both issues were struck from the Melbourne mint and no
Mintmark
A marking, usually a letter or dot that signifies which mint struck a particular coin
mintmarks were used.
