New $1 coins released: Australia Post launches ‘Big Things’ coin collection
- Australia’s ‘Big Things’ are celebrated with new $1 coin designs
- Iconic tourist attractions are depicted on the coins
Australia Post will be honoring some of the country’s best-known tourist attractions, from Queensland’s Big Pineapple to NSW’s Big Banana, in a special one-off ‘Big Things’ coin collection.
The $1 coin set, which celebrates the country’s “love affair” with outsized sculptures, will be available for purchase online or in-store at Australia Post from Monday as part of Collecting Month.
The coins cost $3 each or $29 for a full coin set, with one in ten sets containing a specially colored Giant Murray Cod coin. Coins will also be used as change at certain AusPost stores.
Australia Post will honor some of the country’s best-known tourist attractions, from Queensland’s Big Pineapple to NSW’s Big Banana, in a special one-off ‘Big Things’ coin collection
The new $1 coins feature iconic ‘Big Things’ such as the Giant Murray Cod in Swan Hill, Victoria, the only coin to receive a specially colored version
The Big Blue Heeler in Muswellbrook, NSW gets a spot in the coin collection
The Big Jumping Croc of Wak Wak in the North Territory seems happy to have been included
The reverse of the coin commemorates the life of Queen Elizabeth II
Kayla Le Cornu, managing director of retail products for Australia Post, said Australia’s famous ‘Big Things’, despite their kitsch, had been visited and loved by as many as 90 per cent of the population.
‘Our ‘Big Things’ are colourful, entertaining and really leave their mark on so many local communities across Australia,’ said Ms Cornu.
“We celebrate some of our most iconic ‘Big Things’ with this new coin collection, in collaboration with the Royal Australian Mint.”
An associated stamp collection also includes the Big Tasmanian Devil, Giant Murray Cod, Big Swoop, Big Jumping Crocodile and the Giant Koala, which retail from $1.20.
The postal service had previously polled the public about “big things” they wanted to see, including a big black swan in Perth, a nugget of gold in Ballarat and an AFL footy or big coffee in Melbourne.
The Royal Australian Mint last month launched a special $5 commemorative coin featuring the country’s World Heritage Sites, including Queensland’s rainforest and “ancient Aboriginal settlements.”
The Big Lobster in Kingston, SA celebrates the region’s spectacular marine life
The Giant Ram of Wagin Western Australia has earned a place as one of the country’s top tourist attractions
Big Swoop honors the humble magpie and was newly built in the country’s capital, Canberra
The Big Tasmanian Devil in Mole Creek, Tasmania, where the marsupials are found in their natural habitat
The Giant Koala at Dadswell Bridge in Victoria weighs 12 tons and has a steel frame that allows visitors to go inside, to the tourist information center and gift shop