Mint changes coin dies to strike the Army's 100th birthday coin
1 January 2001
The public coining press at the Royal Australian Mint have just had their dies changed and will now be striking the new 2001 $1 Centenary of the Army coin. This milestone for the Army is of national significance, and a coin especially dedicated to it is a timely acknowledgment of the sacrifices our service men and women have made during the past century.
The coining press in the Visitors Gallery of the Mint has its dies replaced at the beginning of every year to give the public an opportunity to strike their own $1 coin - a different one each year - bearing a design that hasn't been officially released into circulation.
At the centre of this new $1 coin is the Army's crest. Commonly referred to as the 'rising sun' badge, the crest actually depicts a seven-pointed semi-circle of swords and bayonets radiating from a crown. Modified throughout the years, the crest represented on this Centenary coin was last updated for the Army's 90th anniversary.
Since its formation in March 1901, just after Federation, the Army has fought in every major world conflict of the 20th Century, most recently becoming involved in UN peacekeeping missions. The Australian Army has not just defended Australia but played an important role in protecting the rights of people in other countries.
This coin forms part of the Centenary of the Army celebrations.