The Voice of Cricket returns to the pitch ahead of the Sydney Test Match

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An iconic name in cricketing history, and now commemorated on a special collectible 50 cent coin, Richie Benaud will be remembered ahead of the Australia v Pakistan test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Daphne Benaud, widow of the late cricket great, present on field during the coin toss.

With a name synonymous with cricket, Richie Benaud carved out an impressive career as Australia's celebrated former cricket captain and commentator, now forever remembered on an Australian legal tender 50 cent coin released by the Royal Australian Mint (the Mint) in November last year.

Daphne Benaud said that the coin was a great way to remember Richie’s influence across the many aspects of cricket, on and off the field.

“It is an honour for Richie to have been recognised in this way. The coin is a wonderful memento of Richie’s achievements not only on the cricket field but in the world of newspapers, television and radio.” said Daphne Benaud.

Mint CEO Ross MacDiarmid said that it has been a pleasure for Mint staff to work alongside Daphne and the Benaud family to celebrate the legacy of Richie Benaud and therefore it is fitting to have a family member present for this commemoration.

“Richie Benaud will forever be an integral part of cricket, from his reputation as a talented sportsman to his renowned demeanour in the commentary box, and the Mint is proud to be able to produce a meaningful coin to remember his career,” said Mr MacDiarmid.

“We are honoured to be able to work alongside the Benaud family while developing this commemorative piece and therefore it is particularly fitting to have Daphne present at the coin toss in Sydney.”

With a strictly limited product mintage of 95 929, the maximum amount of coins to be released is inspired by statistics from Richie’s remarkable cricket career.

As an Australian inspiration, Benaud’s legend will be forever commemorated on the 2016 50c Uncirculated Coin, available for purchase here: https://eshop.ramint.gov.au/Richie-Benaud-The-Voice-of-Cricket-1930-2015/311024.aspx

For high resolution images of the coin please see below.

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For media enquiries contact:
Elyse Moore, Royal Australian Mint – (02) 6202 6975, 0466 562 598 or elyse.moore@ramint.gov.au

How did we come up with the mintage – 95 929?

A combination of statistics from Richie Benaud’s cricketing career. Please see below:

Runs

13 920

Wickets

1193

100s

26

50s

70

Balls bowled

79 589

Catches

319

Matches

322

Batting innings

462

Tests captained for Australia

28

Total

95 929

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COIN DESCRIPTION
2017 50c Uncirculated Coin - Reverse
2017 50c Uncirculated Coin - Packaging