Australia’s prehistoric rainforest, convict sites, the Sydney Opera House and ancient Aboriginal settlements have been etched in history on a freshly minted coin in celebration of the country’s heritage value.
All 20 of Australia’s World Heritage sites feature on the coin, which was unveiled on Thursday at Sydney’s heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks with a supersized 2m-high model.
Images of the heritage sites on the $5 frosted coin framed a central full-colour image of a handprint, a fan palm frond and a shell fossil to represent both natural and man-made “icons” and Australia’s Indigenous heritage, the Royal Australian Mint said.
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The Tony Dean-designed coin is not intended for general circulation, but the public can buy it from September 7 and it is considered legal Australian tender, the Mint said.
The coin also featured the Jody Clark-designed Queen Elizabeth II Memorial obverse.
The Tony Dean-designed coin is not intended for general circulation but is legal Australian tender. Credit: AAP
Assistant Treasury Minister Andrew Leigh said Australians were fortunate to live in a country with so much natural beauty.
“By celebrating Australia’s world heritage sites through this collectible coin, the Royal Australian Mint is doing its bit to help the spread the word about our magnificent natural and built heritage,” he said.
The unveiling coincided with a global event kicking off in Australia for the first time – the International Council on Monuments and Sites’ 21st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium.
The symposium was slated to bring together up to 1500 professionals from around the globe to discuss the key theme of “heritage changes” and take attendees on a tour of some of Australia’s famed heritage sites.
The Mint partnered with the council to make the coin.
An official opening ceremony for the symposium was slated for Sunday at the Sydney Opera House.
The council’s general assembly convener Richard Mackay said the coin encouraged awareness about Australia’s unique biodiversity, deep Indigenous connections with Country and extraordinary cultural places.
“We are delighted that as cultural heritage experts from all around the world gather in Sydney, this coin celebrates our contribution to the world’s heritage,” he said.
The coin features Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, the NSW Greater Blue Mountains, Macquarie Island and the Ningaloo Coast among the 20 depicted heritage sites.
It can be purchased through the Mint’s coin shop, call centre and authorised dealers from September 7, 2023. It will also be available for purchase from gift shops at world heritage properties that are featured on the coin.
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