2005 $1 ANZAC 90th Anniversary 1915 - 2005 Two Coin Proof Pair Al/Br

2005 $1 ANZAC 90th Anniversary Two Coin Proof Pair Australia & New Zealand Army Corps

In late 1914, men of the Australian Imperial Force and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force began arriving in Egypt.

In early 1915, these forces were chosen , along with British and French troops, for an invasion of Turkey.

On 25 April 1915, the newly formed Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the Gallipoli peninsula at what became known as ANZAC Cove.

The Australian and New Zealand troops fought side by side for eight months as desperate efforts were made to break through bravely defended Turkish lines. By the time the Anzacs were evacuated, just before Christmas 1915, more than 8,700 Australians and 2,700 New Zealanders were dead.

Reports from Gallipoli stirred a new sense of patriotism n both Australia and New Zealand. The war correspondents' glowing accounts described the reckless courage, endurance and dogged fighting qualities of the troops. The heroism of the Australians and New Zealanders in battle was matched by their concern for one another and their self-sacrifice, often expressed as mateship. The spirit forged between the troops caught the imagination of both nations, creating a common bond of shared pride in their fighting forces.

On the first anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli, thousands of people throughout Australian and New Zealand attended ceremonies and services in remembrance of the dead. Ninety years after the Gallipoli campaign, Australians and New Zealanders resolutely maintain the tradition in increasing numbers at annual ANZAC Day commemorations.

This set of proof quality aluminium bronze coins marks the 90th Anniversary of the major military action fought by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli. Produced as part of a joint coin program, the coins are issued as legal tender under the Australian

Currency Act 1965or the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989.

The design theme portrayed on both coins is 'courage'. As their boats approached Gallipoli some soldiers hurled themselves into the water before the order was given, demonstrating the fearlessness that characterised their actions throughout the entire campaign.

This supreme courage has never been forgotten by succeeding generations of Australians and New Zealanders.

The Australian coin features a soldier wearing a 'slouch hat' against a background symbolizing ANZAC Cover in April 1915.

The image is surrounded by the border inscription AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ARMY CORPS 1915 - 2005.The New Zealand coin portrays a soldier wearing a 'lemon squeezer' against a background symbolising the heights of Chunuk Bair, part of which was captured and held for two days by New Zealanders in August 1915. 

The image is surrounded by the birder inscription COURAGE 1915 - 2005 and the words WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

The obverse of each coin bears an Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

No more than 15,000 Two-Coin Aluminium Bronze Sets will be released.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, not the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them."Laurence Binyon