07/06/2009
The Royal Australian Mint in Canberra will be opening its vault doors for the first time today to one lucky winner in an event themed Once in a Blue Moon
The winner will have the rare opportunity to enter the Museum vault and transfer some of the Mint’s most treasured coins valued at over $1 million to their new permanent display in the public gallery.
“This is an exciting chance for a member of the public to go where not many others have gone before, inside a vault at the Royal Australian Mint! The vault is home to our National Coin Collection, which is valued at over $12 million.” said Graham Smith, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Australian Mint.
At the event, the Mint will also officially unveil its newest products, including the 2009 Master Mintmark $1 uncirculated coin, which celebrates the completion of the Mint’s three year refurbishment project. As part of this special release, the Mint is also offering a ‘once in a blue moon’ opportunity to counterstamp this coin with a unique ‘C’, symbolic for being stamped here in Canberra. Historically, counterstamps as rare as this have sold out and are available in the secondary market for ten times its original price!
“This is another rare opportunity, which shouldn’t be missed, for members of the public to buy what is a very significant and limited edition coin in our 2009 collectible coin program. They will see the coin being counterstamped with the ‘C’ right before their own eyes. Today will be the last day of this offer,” said Mr Smith.
Other new products being released include the limited 2009 $5 Fine Silver Proof Meteorite Coin (pieces of actual meteorite are encapsulated in the centre of each coin) and the 2009 edition of the $1 Uncirculated Inspirational Australians coin which celebrates Steve Irwin.
The Mint has been undergoing the most substantial upgrade to its facilities since its original construction in 1965. This refurbishment project is drawing to an end in 2009 and has included the construction of a new Coin Shop, Museum and Gallery and observation windows into the factory floor and production areas.
For more information about the above coins please visit www.ramint.gov.au or contact Michelle Napoli, details below.
For further details contact:
Michelle Napoli
0418 164 769
| Coin | Description | Download |
|---|---|---|
 |
2009 Master Mintmark $1 uncirculated coin |