‘SYDNEY: Australia’s royal mint has defended a widely-lampooned image of the late Queen Elizabeth II on new commemorative coins celebrating her life. The “stunning heavenly” 50 cent and $5 Australian coins were revealed by the mint this week, featuring a front-facing effigy of the queen to celebrate her reign, 100 years after her birth. But the royal’s image, which the Royal Australian Mint described on Thursday as a “stunning portrait” rendered with “warmth and dignity,” evoked widespread online mirth.

The Royal Australian Mint has defended the design of the coins, which mark 100 years since Queen Elizabeth II's birth.

Two coins celebrating Queen Elizabeth II criticised for failing to resemble late monarch

‘SYDNEY: Australia’s royal mint has defended a widely-lampooned image of the late Queen Elizabeth II on new commemorative coins celebrating her life. The “stunning heavenly” 50…