Australia to issue three commemorative coins in memory of 'The Don'
2nd April 2001
As announced by the Prime Minister last weekend, Australia will issue three special commemorative coins in honour of the late cricket legend, Sir Donald Bradman AC, universally acknowledged as the world's greatest ever batsman.
The coins will be produced jointly by Australia's two official mints, the Royal Australian Mint and The Perth Mint, and will be available throughout Australia from early to mid June.
To be issued as legal tender of Australia, in conjunction with the Bradman Foundation, the coin program will include:
- a bi-metal gold and silver proof coin featuring an image of Sir Donald wearing his baggy green cap;
- a 1oz silver proof coin depicting Bradman playing an off drive; and
- an aluminium bronze frosted uncirculated coin featuring the famous Bradman pull shot.
Each of the coins will be surrounded by the wording 'Sir Donald Bradman 1908 - 2001' and will bear the image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the coin's monetary denomination on the obverse.
| Coin | Description | Download |
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Aluminium Bronze Coin - Low Resolution 612x612 pixel JPG |
JPG 134kB (Zip) |
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Bi-Metal Gold/Silver Coin - Low Resolution 597x597 pixel JPG |
JPG 109kB (Zip) |
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Silver Coin - Low Resolution 609x609 pixel JPG |
JPG 83kB (Zip) |
All three coins will have strictly limited mintages, with a maximum of:
- 10,000 bi-metal gold/silver coins with intended price of $380.00;
- 100,000 proof silver coins with intended price of $55.00; and
- 250,000 aluminium bronze coins with intended price of $12.95
Within these maximum mintages a limited number of sets containing all three coins will be issued, with intended price of $447.95.
The Bradman Commemorative Coin Program will see the two mints join forces for the first time since their successful partnership in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Coin Program.
The Royal Australian Mint in Canberra will produce the aluminium bronze coins, while The Perth Mint will manufacture the bi-metal and silver coins.
"Both mints are thrilled to be collaborating in another milestone commemorative coin program, this time celebrating the life of Sir Donald Bradman, arguably the nation's greatest sporting icon," said Mr Graeme Moffatt, Controller of the Royal Australian Mint.
"There is no more traditional and appropriate way for a nation to pay tribute to its heroes than by immortalising them on the official coinage," he said.
Mr Don Mackay-Coghill, Chief Executive Officer of Gold Corporation, operator of The Perth Mint, said Sir Donald, who died in his Adelaide home on 25 February at the age of 92, was idolised by generations of Australians and cricket fans throughout the world.
"In 52 Test matches from 1928 to 1948, Sir Donald scored 6,996 runs at an average of 99.94, a career record unlikely ever to be bettered.
"He was a batsman without peer, a highly respected cricket administrator, and a gentleman both on and off the field- a national and international cricket legend, whose memory will forever be etched on the Australian psyche."
The Bradman Commemorative Coin Program will be available from the Royal Australian Mint, the Perth Mint, selected Australia Post outlets and major Australian coin dealers from early to mid June.