Aussie collectable coin featuring highly anticipated new feature is released
The first collector's coin featuring the face of King Charles III has been printed in Australia, as coin collectors rush to get their hands on the first coins of 2024.
The 'Out Of This World' coin pays tribute to Australia's contribution to space exploration and includes references to the first satellite launch and Apollo 11's moon landing.
The gold coin is one of the first coins to have the image of the new monarch stamped on it. In December, 3.5 million $1 coins with his face entered circulation.
Hundreds of collectors queued at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra on the first day of the year to get first access to the new coins.
The new series of coins is being slowly rolled out across the country, with $2, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c coins featuring the King's face gradually entering circulation in 2024.
New Australian $1 coin featuring King Charles III
Collector's coin sold at Royal Australian Mint
For most Australians, these will be the first coins they hold with a king's face stamped on the back.
The coins were delivered to banks at the end of last year and are already appearing in cash registers across the country.
Assistant Finance Minister Andrew Leigh said the coins give Australians the chance to “get their own piece of history”.
Other notable differences in the rollout of the new coins include the direction the monarch faces, marking a changing of the guard in the leadership of the royal family.
“Following a tradition dating back at least to the 17th century, successive monarchs are depicted on the coins facing different directions,” Minister Leigh said.
'Queen Elizabeth II looked to the right. King Charles III now looks to the left.'
The Royal Australian Mint will continue to print coins featuring the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Obverse until May 2024.