2019 50c CuNi Coloured Uncirculated Carded Coin - The Ghan

Description

In 2019 The Ghan, one of Australia's most famous railway journeys, will celebrate its 90th anniversary. Since its humble beginnings as a steam train forging its way through fires and floods, The Ghan has become a luxurious holiday journey. This 2019 50c Uncirculated Coin celebrates 90 years of this iconic transcontinental adventure, for train enthusiasts, collectors, and fans of the iconic Ghan.

In 1929 the Afghan Express steam train commenced its route to Stuart (now known as Alice Springs), carrying passengers, livestock and supplies. The narrow-gauge line followed the same route taken by inland explorer John McDouall Stuart in 1864. In its early days, the train's journey was rough and often dangerous. It frequently encountered fires, severe weather, flooding, and once was famously stranded in the desert for two weeks.

Now known as The Ghan, the Great Southern Rail route has expanded from Adelaide in South Australia through Alice Springs, all the way to Darwin in the Northern Territory. The 2,979 km journey takes four days and three nights, and includes off-train excursions at Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy. Since its days as a rough steam train, The Ghan is now considered one of the world's great railway journeys and is a luxury tourist destination in its own right.

• Presented in a card featuring the Great Southern Rail's iconic Ghan
  
• Coin's reverse celebrates the 90th anniversary of the iconic Ghan
  
• Coin's obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II designed by lan Rank-Broadley
  
• Australian legal tender

NOMINAL SPECIFICATIONS
Denomination 50c
Year 2019
Metal content CuNi
Mass 15.55 g
Diameter 31.51 mm
Finish Uncirculated
Maximum mintage 30000
Packaging Coin in card
Obverse designer I. Rank-Broadley
Reverse designer T. Dean