30/10/2018
A coloured depiction of a poppy and a graphic representation of 11.11.11 adorn Australia’s newest circulating coin, unveiled today by Senator the Hon. Zed Seselja, the Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance.
Senator Seselja, the Minister responsible for the Royal Australian Mint, unveiled the coin alongside representatives from the Mint and the Australian War Memorial at the display of 62,000 hand-crafted poppies in the Memorial’s Sculpture Garden.
Dr Brendan Nelson, Director of the Australian War Memorial, said the coin will serve as an important reminder.
“This coin will serve as a tangible and visible reminder to all Australians day-to-day, of the centenary period and the lasting legacy of the fight for our nation’s freedom and the price that was paid for that freedom,” Dr Nelson said.
“The Flanders poppy symbolises loss, love and the sacrifice of bloodshed. It has long been a part of Remembrance Day, the ritual that marks the Armistice of 11 November 1918, with this year, marking 100 years since the guns fell silent.”
Mr Ross MacDiarmid, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Australian Mint, said the new coins will reach Australian’s wallets and change over the coming months.
“As we near the end of the Anzac Centenary commemorations, these coins, developed with the assistance of the Australian War Memorial, will soon circulate around Australia,” he said.
“We hope this $2 coin will serve as a lasting reminder of the service and sacrifice of those who fought in the First World War and the generations of Australian servicemen and women who have continued to serve our country,” said Mr MacDiarmid.
For those looking to keep the coin, a collectible version is available from the Mint’s website or Contact Centre (1300 652 020) for $15.00.
The Mint is also holding Coin Swaps in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney on Thursday 1 November where the public can exchange cash or coins for the new Remembrance Day – Armistice Centenary $2 circulating coin:
Brisbane – Queen Street Mall, Wintergarden Area – 8 am to 2 pm
Canberra – Royal Australian Mint – 8.30 am to 2 pm
Melbourne – Southern Cross Station – 11.30 am to 7 pm
Sydney – Parramatta Centenary Square – 8 am to 2 pm
For further details about the new coins and coin swaps, please visit: www.ramint.gov.au
For further details about the Australian War Memorial and the ‘62,000 Poppies Display’, please visit: www.awm.gov.au
