1 Penny - Elizabeth II (1st Portrait; with "F:D:")

The 1955 Australian penny featuring the first portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was minted during a pivotal transition period for Australian currency, which followed the British tradition of including the monarch's effigy on circulating coinage. This specific issue bears the iconic 'Mary Gillick' portrait of the Queen, which was first introduced to Australian coinage in 1953, marking the beginning of her reign as the constitutional monarch of Australia.

The inclusion of the abbreviation 'F:D:' (Fidei Defensor, or Defender of the Faith) on this issue is particularly notable, as it was a standard feature of British royal titles that was removed from Australian pennies shortly thereafter in 1964. Designed by Mary Gillick to portray a youthful Queen, the design was praised for its refined and classical aesthetic. It remains a hallmark of mid-century Australian numismatics, representing the final decade of the imperial penny before the nation transitioned to decimal currency in 1966.