Also, new circulating coin shares spirit of Australia’s ANZACs
By Royal Australian Mint ……
On April 22, the Australian government announced that the country will adopt a new effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on all circulating and collector coins.
The new effigy of The Queen will be only the sixth to feature on Australia’s coins since Her Majesty’s accession to the throne in 1952.
The effigy was designed by Jody Clark, an engraver for the United Kingdom’s Royal Mint. Jody Clark’s original effigy was chosen through a competition commissioned by the United Kingdom’s Royal Mint Advisory Committee and has been in use in the United Kingdom since 2015.
The effigy to feature on Australian coins is an adaptation of Jody Clark’s original drawings. Her Majesty is portrayed wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem, which was worn for The Coronation. In keeping with tradition, Her Majesty continues to face to the right of the coin.
Assistant Minister to the Treasurer, the Hon Michael Sukkar MP, welcomed the change.
“The Government is upholding the tradition of periodically updating Her Majesty’s image on Australia’s coins. This new effigy will replace the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy which has been in use since 1998.”
Australians can expect to start seeing the new effigy on 2019-dated coins. It may take some time before these coins appear in people’s change as the new coins will be distributed through banks across Australia as a first priority.
Coins bearing previous effigies of Her Majesty will not be removed from circulation and will continue to be legal tender.
Circulating ANZAC Commemortive Coin
The iconic eternal flame at the Australian War Memorial will now circulate in currency with colored $2 coins released by the Royal Australian Mint ahead of Anzac Day.
Produced in partnership with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Australian War Memorial, the Lest We Forget – Eternal Flame coin continues the Mint’s tradition of releasing colored $2 coins into circulation as part of the Anzac Centenary Coin Program.
The Hon Michael Sukkar MP said the Lest We Forget – Eternal Flame coin is a tangible tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
“The striking design of the Lest We Forget – Eternal Flame coin is inspired by the eternal flame at the Australian War Memorial and captures aspects of the Anzac spirit in permanent form,” Mr he said. “Currency is part of everyday life in Australia and the release of this circulating coin will be a subtle and appropriate reminder of our Anzac history for years to come.”
Ross MacDiarmid, CEO of the Mint, said the Lest We Forget – Eternal Flame coin symbolises remembrance and sacrifice.
“Like other cultural institutions, the Mint is responsible for sharing stories of Australia’s past. We have a long tradition of commemorating Australia’s military history through coin and are proud to be introducing 5,555,550 of the Lest We Forget – Eternal Flame coins into circulation.”
Dr. Brendan Nelson, Director of the Australian War Memorial said, “The Eternal Flame at the Australian War Memorial symbolises our nation’s perpetual gratitude towards, and remembrance of, those 102,800 men and women who gave their lives for us and our freedoms in war and operations for more than a century. We are proud to support the Royal Australian Mint in releasing the Lest We Forget – Eternal Flame $2 coin into circulation.”
In addition to the circulating coin, the Mint is commemorating the Centenary of Anzac with collectable coins recognising the Armistice Centenary and an uncirculated version of the Lest We Forget – Eternal Flame $2 Coin.
The Lest We Forget – Eternal Flame coin will be released into circulation throughout April. The collectable coins are available now from the Royal Australian Mint at www.eshop.ramint.gov.au.
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