by Lottie Twyford and Courtney Barrett Peters
Thu Oct 3
 The Royal Australian Mint is releasing a commemorative coin today to celebrate fifty years of Countdown. (Photo courtesy Royal Australian Mint) |
The Royal Australian Mint has released a collectible coin to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the iconic television show Countdown.
An uncirculated 50 cent coin went on sale early this morning.
Hosted by the legendary Molly Meldrum, Countdown first hit small screens around the country in 1974.
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Photo courtesy Aussie Coins and Notes |
Royal Australian Mint CEO Leigh Gordon said the coloured coin would "certainly resonate" with Australians.
"It's a beautiful 50 cent piece that comes as a coin in a card, a collectible coin, and it's got the colour of the countdown set on it and a stylised TV," he said.
Fifty thousand Countdown coins are available.
Coin commemorating service of animals in wars also released
The mint has also released a purple poppy $2 coin that commemorates war animals.
 A gold coin commemorating animals used during war, issued by the Mint. (Photo courtesy Royal Australian Mint) |
Two million coins will go into circulation today, while 40,000 coins will be available for coin collectors to come and buy at coin swaps around the country, Mr Gordon explained.
"It'll be a coin that should have quite a far reach, the purple poppy coin," he said.
Mr Gordon hoped that number of coins would mean they would stay in circulation for many years to come.
He said many would already be aware of the story of Simpson and his donkey, but hoped the coin could help share some of the many other stories about animals in wartime.
"You know, carrier pigeons, thousands of horses went to the to the Middle East in the First World War ... we have military working dogs that are a very active part of the defence capability," he said.
A small number of silver purple poppy coins — about 7,500 — will also go on sale.
 Royal Australian Mint CEO Leigh Gordon said he hoped people would collect coins for the story, not for financial gain. (Photo: ABC News / Donal Sheil) |
Decline in circulating coins but collectibles popular
With people lining up at the Mint from yesterday evening, the coins appeared to have hit the right note.
Mr Gordon acknowledged there had been a decline in circulating coins, but said this had allowed the mint to refocus on collectibles and the investment side of things.
"We can't make every coin idea that we have, but it's good to have ones that are really successful and really resonate," he explained.
"So it certainly makes us proud to think, 'Hey, we've picked a product that that the public really wants'."
Previous coins released by the Mint had led to some punters speculating on them and selling them for higher prices.
But Mr Gordon said he hoped people would be interested in collecting coins because they had a connection with them and their story instead.
 Todd O'Rourke and Stephen Offnar are hoping to get their hands on the coins today. (Photo: ABC News / Courtney Barrett Peters) |
Some people wanted the coins so much they queued up at the Mint from last night, including Stephen Offnar who travelled from Armidale, New South Wales.
He said he arrived about midday yesterday, hoping to get his hands on all of the coins being released today.
It wasn't the first time the coin collector has made the pilgrimage to wait for a new coin.
Mr Offnar was joined by Todd O'Rourke from Canberra.
The pair were friends through social media, where their shared passion for coin collecting had united them.
Mr O'Rourke said he was particularly excited to see the new purple poppy coin in silver with the 'C' from the Canberra Mint on it.
"Being silver, it will be highly collectible and one to hold for years to come," Mr O'Rourke explained.
As for why he was camping out, Mr O'Rourke had learned through bitter experience.
Last time he arrived at 4pm, and was 500th in the queue.
People have also been able to register for a ballot to purchase coins online and through the Mint's distribution network around the country.
Doors opened at the Royal Australian Mint at 8:30am.
First published at ABC News, October 3, 2024
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