20 Cents - Elizabeth II (4th Portrait - Shores Under Siege - Military Lookout)

The 2012 Australian 20-cent coin featuring the 'Military Lookout' design was issued by the Royal Australian Mint as part of the six-coin 'Australia Remembers: Shores Under Siege' series. This collection was produced to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the attacks on Australian soil during World War II, specifically focusing on the events of 1942 when the nation faced direct threats from air raids and maritime incursions. The coin serves as a numismatic tribute to the personnel stationed at coastal observation posts who served as the eyes and ears of the nation's defense.

The reverse side of the coin was designed by Aleksandra Stokic, who utilized a clean, symbolic aesthetic to depict a military lookout scanning the horizon. The design emphasizes the vigilance required during the conflict, pairing the stoic figure with the iconic Australian 20-cent platypus reverse typically seen on circulating currency. The obverse features Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which was the standard effigy used on Australian legal tender at the time. Upon release, the series was well-received by collectors and military history enthusiasts for its respectful engagement with Australia's wartime heritage.