Australian Student Launches Own Coin Design with the Royal Australian Mint

9th May 2005

Australian Student Launches Own Coin Design with the Royal Australian Mint

Australian teenager Kelly Just will have a rare honour with the release of her commemorative 50 cent coin design by the Royal Australian Mint on 12 May 2005, featuring a range of native animals and representative sports as part of the national coin release for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Kelly Just won the Royal Australian Mint's secondary school coin design competition and has the honour of her coin being minted and included in the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Coin Collection.

Dr Vivienne Thom, Controller of the Mint said "Kelly's design conveys to the world the Australian's spirit - the love of sport and environment - it embraces the spirit of the games and Australia's unique fauna."

A national competition was held to select a shortlist of entries with some outstanding designs from Secondary students from all over Australia. The winning entry was selected by popular vote, with the Australian public voting overwhelmingly for Kelly's design.

The design depicts animals mimicking athletes performing a variety of activities that will feature in the up coming Commonwealth Games. The coin design also incorporates the winning designer's initials "KJ" on the Reverse. The beauty of the design has been meticulously sculptured by the Royal Australian Mint's renowned designer - Vladimir Gottwald.

Kelly Just's coin design can be purchased as either a proof collector coin or as an uncirculated coin.

Orders can be placed by contacting the Royal Australian Mint on 1300 652 020 or order online at www.ramint.gov.au