Royal Australian Mint unveils commemorative coin celebrating the country's rich cultural heritage
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Exciting news awaits enthusiasts with a passion for collecting rare and valuable coins!
A commemorative coin has been crafted to celebrate Australia's profound heritage, showcasing prominent landmarks such as its ancient rainforests, historic sites, the iconic Sydney Opera House, and millennia-old Aboriginal settlements.
This freshly minted coin includes all 20 of Australia's globally recognised world heritage properties. The grand unveiling took place at Sydney's Hyde Park Barracks, accompanied by an impressive two-metre-high model of the coin.
The coin elegantly displays intricate images of these heritage sites in frosted detail on its $5 face. At its centre, a captivating full-colour image harmoniously blends a handprint, a fan palm frond, and a shell fossil.
In addition to those mentioned earlier, the coin also features Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, the NSW Greater Blue Mountains, Macquarie Island, and the Ningaloo Coast, among many others.
This coin also features the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial obverse—a creation of Jody Clark, a British engraver formerly associated with the Royal Mint—on its reverse side.
Clark is renowned for designing the fifth and final portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which graces coins of the pound sterling. Additionally, this portrait marks its sixth and ultimate appearance on coins of the Australian dollar.
These elements collectively symbolise both Australia's natural wonders and its human-made accomplishments, as well as paying homage to the nation's Indigenous heritage.
The Royal Australian Mint has announced that while the coin wasn't intended for everyday circulation, it will be available for purchase starting September 7th through the Mint's coin shop, call centre and authorised dealers. It will also be available for purchase from the gift shops at the World Heritage properties that feature on the coin.
Notably, the coin also holds legal tender status within the country.
Assistant Treasury Minister Andrew Leigh has applauded the Mint's initiative to make Australians around the world more aware of the land they live in.
'By celebrating Australia's world heritage sites through this collectible coin, the Royal Australian Mint is doing its bit to help spread the word about our magnificent natural and built heritage,' he said.
The unveiling of the newly minted coin marked not just a local milestone but also a significant global event. This coincided with a momentous occasion taking place in Australia for the first time—the 21st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
The symposium was carefully orchestrated to convene up to 1500 professionals worldwide, fostering discussions on the pivotal theme of 'heritage changes' while treating attendees to guided tours of some of Australia's renowned heritage sites.
An official opening ceremony for the symposium was slated for Sunday at the Sydney Opera House.
Richard Mackay, the council's General Assembly Convener, explained how the coin promotes awareness about Australia's exceptional biodiversity, the profound Indigenous connections with the land, and the extraordinary cultural landmarks that define the nation.
'We are delighted that as cultural heritage experts from all around the world gather in Sydney, this coin celebrates our contribution to the world's heritage,' he said.
What are your thoughts, members? The coins are a fantastic way to celebrate Australia's amazing heritage, don't you think? Are you looking to get your hands on them? Let us know in the comments below!
A commemorative coin has been crafted to celebrate Australia's profound heritage, showcasing prominent landmarks such as its ancient rainforests, historic sites, the iconic Sydney Opera House, and millennia-old Aboriginal settlements.
This freshly minted coin includes all 20 of Australia's globally recognised world heritage properties. The grand unveiling took place at Sydney's Hyde Park Barracks, accompanied by an impressive two-metre-high model of the coin.
The coin elegantly displays intricate images of these heritage sites in frosted detail on its $5 face. At its centre, a captivating full-colour image harmoniously blends a handprint, a fan palm frond, and a shell fossil.
In addition to those mentioned earlier, the coin also features Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, the NSW Greater Blue Mountains, Macquarie Island, and the Ningaloo Coast, among many others.
The Mint has partnered with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) to produce this coin in recognition of the 21st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium being held in Australia for the first time. Credit: Royal Australian Mint.
This coin also features the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial obverse—a creation of Jody Clark, a British engraver formerly associated with the Royal Mint—on its reverse side.
Clark is renowned for designing the fifth and final portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which graces coins of the pound sterling. Additionally, this portrait marks its sixth and ultimate appearance on coins of the Australian dollar.
These elements collectively symbolise both Australia's natural wonders and its human-made accomplishments, as well as paying homage to the nation's Indigenous heritage.
The Royal Australian Mint has announced that while the coin wasn't intended for everyday circulation, it will be available for purchase starting September 7th through the Mint's coin shop, call centre and authorised dealers. It will also be available for purchase from the gift shops at the World Heritage properties that feature on the coin.
Notably, the coin also holds legal tender status within the country.
Assistant Treasury Minister Andrew Leigh has applauded the Mint's initiative to make Australians around the world more aware of the land they live in.
'By celebrating Australia's world heritage sites through this collectible coin, the Royal Australian Mint is doing its bit to help spread the word about our magnificent natural and built heritage,' he said.
The unveiling of the newly minted coin marked not just a local milestone but also a significant global event. This coincided with a momentous occasion taking place in Australia for the first time—the 21st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
The symposium was carefully orchestrated to convene up to 1500 professionals worldwide, fostering discussions on the pivotal theme of 'heritage changes' while treating attendees to guided tours of some of Australia's renowned heritage sites.
An official opening ceremony for the symposium was slated for Sunday at the Sydney Opera House.
Richard Mackay, the council's General Assembly Convener, explained how the coin promotes awareness about Australia's exceptional biodiversity, the profound Indigenous connections with the land, and the extraordinary cultural landmarks that define the nation.
'We are delighted that as cultural heritage experts from all around the world gather in Sydney, this coin celebrates our contribution to the world's heritage,' he said.
What are your thoughts, members? The coins are a fantastic way to celebrate Australia's amazing heritage, don't you think? Are you looking to get your hands on them? Let us know in the comments below!
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