Ram's head, ancient symbol of strength, power, and leadership
By CAA | Friday, 12 September 2025
The ram's head is an ancient symbol of strength, power, and leadership, found in art and cultural motifs across various civilizations, from ancient Greece and Rome to ancient Egypt. The animal itself, particularly the bighorn ram, is known for its formidable strength and impressive horns.
While the head is not the official logo of the mint itself, the design is most famously associated with the Australian shilling coin and was a key design element on Australian coins.
Originally appearing on the one shilling from 1938 to 1963, the Royal Australian Mint has returned to this familiar design to recognise one of Australia’s longest running industries.
The original design of the ram was modelled on a champion Merino at the Annual Sydney Sheep Show in 1932 and came to be known as the Shilling Ram.
This design, created by George Kruger Gray, depicted the head of a merino ram, a breed of sheep that is a symbol of Australia's wool industry and its economic prosperity.
The ram's head on the shilling was a significant and much-loved design that represented a key part of Australia's history and economy. It became an iconic image in Australian numismatics.
The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley.
The following mint mark can ben found on the reverse:
- A - Adelaide
- B - Brisbane
- C - Canberra
- D - Darwin
- H - Hobart
- M - Melbourne
- P - Perth
- S - Sydney
A $1 fine silver proof coin was also made with a limited mintage of 12,500 coins and a $10 99.99% 1/10oz gold.
1 dollar 2011 - Not intended for circulation
