Australia has had three national Parliament Houses and in a superb tradition they have all been opened on the same day, but in different years in history. At each opening the royal representative went on to become monarch and appear on our coinage.

This set of heritage coins is comprised of an original coin of the years in which the three Parliaments were opened - 1901, 1927 and 1988 respectively - along with a solid silver Australian shilling coin bearing the portrait of each of the three monarchs who opened them.

Australia’s First Parliament House was opened 9th May 1901 in Melbourne. This was seen as an historic and momentous occasion with King Edward VII’s son, the Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V) visiting Australia to officially open the new parliament on behalf of the King. 

Australia’s Second Parliament House was opened 9th May 1927 in Canberra by the future King George VI, then the Duke of York. He unexpectedly acceded to the throne on the abdication of his brother Edward VIII and was king throughout the Second World War, reigning from 1936 to 1952. This event was struck into history with the minting of the Australian commemorative silver florin of 1927 issued to celebrate the opening of Parliament.

When the Third Parliament House was opened on 9th May 1988 in Canberra as part of Australia's bicentenary celebrations, it was the daughter of King George VI, the present Queen Elizabeth II, who continued the tradition and declared the new parliament open. Her Majesty has reigned since 1952 and is now the longest serving monarch in British history. 

To celebrate this moment in history this set contains the Australian commemorative $5 coin of 1988 
Don’t delay – call to enquire about adding this to your collection now.