2026 20c Service Amid Strife - Women's Services Coloured Uncirculated Coin in Card

2026 20c Service Amid Strife - Women's Services Coloured Uncirculated Coin in Card

Australian women's auxilary services were established in 1941, starting with the Women's Auxilary Air Force (WAAAF), which was formed in March.

By the war's end it was the largest of the Australian women's services, with almost 27,000 women having served. 

At first, WAAAF members served as telegraphists, but they went on to be employed as aircraft ground staff and mechanics, and in administration, radar and signals, stores and maintenance, and kitchens and messes.

The Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) was formed in April 1941 due to a shortage of telegraphists in the Navy. Initially, only 14 women were employed at HMAS Harman near Canberra, but by the end of the war more than 3,000 women had enlisted.

In August 1941, the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) was formed to release more Army men for service overseas; 24,000 women ultimately enlisted. The AWAS was the only non-medical women's service to send personnel overseas, with members serving in Dutch and Australian New Guinea in 1944 and 1945.

The three women's services were disbanded after the war, but were reconstituted in the 1950s. Separate services for women were ultimately disbanded in the 1980s. From that time to the present, the three services have gradually opened all roles to women.

This 2026 20c Coloured Uncirculated Coin commemorates the signficant milestone in Australian military history.

The coins reverse features a design by the Mint's Aaron Baggio, commemorating the three women's services formed in 1941.

Colour print on coin reverse inspired by the uniform of the WAAAF, the first and largest of the women's services.

The Coin obverse features the Daniel Thorne effigy of His Majesty King Charles III.

Struck to the Mint's uncirculated finish.

Each coin is packaged in a protective capsule and presentation card.

Strictly limited mintage of 40,000.

Each coin is issued as Australian Legal Tender.

Denomination :        20c

Quality :                  Uncirculated

Metal :                    Cupro Nickel

Weight :                  11.30 gms

Diameter :               28.52 mm

Mintage :                40,000

Authenticity :          Royal Australian Mint Full Colour Presentation Card

NOT FOR INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING