By Royal Australian Mint ……
A 50-cent coin cloaked in layers of secret code has been released to mark the 75th anniversary of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), responsible for signals intelligence, cyberwarfare, and cybersecurity.
ASD’s cryptographic experts collaborated with the Royal Australian Mint to help design the coin, which has four unique layers of code that – if broken – contain special messages about ASD. Each code can be solved if Australians are in possession of one of the coins.
“ASD has a long history that all Australians can be proud of, helping to protect the nation from foreign threats, and keeping us safer by preventing and disrupting online threats including cybercriminals,” said Rachel Noble PSM, ASD’s Director-General. “This exciting coin release challenges Australians to engage with the sorts of problem-solving that our talented people at ASD do every day, and might even be a pointer to a new career with us for those who can crack it.”
Royal Australian Mint CEO Leigh Gordon said developing the coin was a complex task as it was critical each different code was clearly identifiable:
“While the 50-cent piece is Australia’s biggest coin, it still doesn’t have a lot of surface area,” said Mr. Gordon. “Ensuring people could see the code to decrypt it was one of the challenges our people were able to solve with ASD, to create a unique and special product.”
Collectively the ciphers showcase ASD’s historical evolution as an organization, combining codes thousands of years old through to modern binary code, invented during the age of computing.
“Though some coding for the coin originated with the Roman Empire, there is remarkably still a place for them in modern intelligence,” said Ms. Noble. “I am immensely impressed of the people who work at ASD and this coin celebrates their work, as well as giving all Australians a glimpse of our history of protecting the nation from harm.”
“If you love puzzles and solving problems, and if you can discover the messages on our 75th-anniversary coin, then a career at ASD may be just what you’re looking for,” she said.
The coin can be purchased through the Mint’s online sales portal from 1 September.
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About the Royal Australian Mint
The Royal Australian Mint is an award-winning, world-class Mint and a global leader in the mint industry. The Mint produces circulating coins for Australia and other countries; collectable and investment coins for domestic and international customers; and custom-made medals, medallions and tokens for individual or corporate clients.
The Mint is also a national cultural attraction that educates millions of Australians and international visitors on the history of Australia’s decimal currency, and the significance and value of coins.
