2026 20c Coloured Silver Proof Three Coin Set - 1941: Service Amid Strife
This 2026 Three-Coin Coloured Silver Proof Set marks the 85th anniversary of three key chapters of Australia's military involvement in 1941. North Africa and Middle East campaigns: In early 1941, the Allies gained Italian positions in Libya but were then pushed back eatswards cross the North Africa coast by a German counterattack. The defiant garrison of Tobruk, mainly comprised of Australians, was a bright spot in this dark time. The Allies also defeated Vichy French forces in Lebanon in July. Greece and Crete campaigns: Australians served alongside New Zealand and British troops in a doomed attempt to counter the German invasion of Greece.
During the campaigns, Australians forged ties with Greeks and Cretans that endured after the war. Women's auxiliary services were established: the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF), Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) and Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS). Packaged together in a special presentation case exclusive to this release, the three coins in the set commemorate these major events of 1941. The coins also have the rare distinction of being coloured 20c proof coins.