The $5 and 50c coins, which mark 100 years since the late monarch’s birth, have been criticised for bearing little resemblance to her.

The BBC has quoted a commenter on Facebook who wrote: “There’s a reason most portraits are from the side. Looks like she just ran into a wall.”

Another said: “If I saw that face without the hairdo and pearls, would never guess who it was meant to be.”

The Royal Australian Mint responded to criticism, saying: “Our coin images don’t always capture the full beauty of a design once it’s etched in metal.”

The $5 silver proof coin is priced at $190 AUD – just under £100 – while the 50c coin is available for $20 AUD (£10).