3005) "AUSSIE BIG THINGS," Australia: The Royal Australian Mint (RAM) & Australia Post have collaborated in the issue of a $1 (One Dollar) Al - Zn Coin set featuring 10 popular places/sites in Australia: Date/Year of Coin issue: 07.09.2023:
The Reverses of the $1 (One Dollar) Al-Zn Coins issued by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM) depict the 10 popular sites in Australia against a background some of the places covered in the issue. The Header /Banner is titled - "AUSSIE BIG THINGS". At centre top is the logo of the Australian Post, while at bottom right is mentioned Australian Government/Royal Australian Mint alongside which is the logo of the Royal Australian Mint (RAM).
The Royal Australian Mint (RAM), in collaboration with Australia Post, has released a very unusual collection of commemorative one-dollar coins, which features some of the country’s more popular tourist landmarks.
The 10-coin series features some of the most iconic structures collectively known as “Aussie Big Things,” one from each state and territory.
The designs celebrate the weird and wonderful big things found across Australia, which have become popular and are a part of the local landscape.
It is a little-known fact that Australia has more than 1,000 “big things” scattered across the country, and it is not surprising that debates and topics of conversation often arise as to which new big thing belongs to which hometown.
Australian’s love of out-sized, outdoor sculptures has seen hundreds of big things pop up in regional towns and along highways nationwide since the 1960s.
These larger-than-life big things actually took their cue from California during the 1920s, when large novelty structures began to gain attention as a means to lure customers off the highways to stop at food stalls.
Since then, they have long been a way for regional towns to highlight their local industry, history, or native fauna and put themselves on the map.
The selection process:
For the Royal Australian Mint (RAM), choosing the 10 big things for its coins was a huge challenge, and initially, a list of “big things” was compiled from research internally.
This was then split into each Australian state or territory and was surveyed through a market research study.
Not surprisingly, Larry the Lobster was the most popular choice from South Australia in the market research study.
According to Australia Post’s own research, "The Big Banana" and the "Big Pineapple" are the most visited “big things” in Australia but topping the “must see” wish lists are the "Big Tassie Devil" in Mole Creek, Tasmania, and the "Giant Koala" in Dadswell Bridge, Victoria.
Owing to such a huge spectrum of sites and landmarks, choosing just 10 big things for its coins was a huge challenge, but once they were determined, owners were contacted for permission and to provide images.
The full Australia Post Aussie Big Things coin collection includes:
The Big Pineapple — Sunshine Coast, Queensland
The Big Banana — Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
Giant Koala — Dadswell Bridge, Victoria
The Big Tasmanian Devil — Mole Creek, Tasmania
The Big Blue Heeler — Muswellbrook, New South Wales
The Big Jumping Croc — Wak Wak, Northern Territories
The Big Lobster — Kingston, South Australia
Giant Ram — Wagin Western Australia
Giant Murray Cod — Swan Hill, Victoria
Big Swoop Canberra — Australian Capital Territory
The Coin Set:
On the Reverses the $1 (One Dollar) Aluminium - Zinc Coins, each of the 10 designs depicts one of the country’s most easily recognisable and appreciated large-sized and quirky landmarks, which also include various identifiable elements pertaining to the area or state.
As part of the backdrop to each coin and in reference to the road trips many Australians embark on each year to tour these big things, a depiction of roads and highways are included.
The landmark is also accompanied by the name of the attraction off-centre.
On the Obverse of the $1 (One Dollar) Aluminium - Zinc Coin is a right facing effigy of Late Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022) designed by Jody Clark whose initials "JC" appear on the Queen's shoulder.
On the outer periphery is the inscription - ELIZABETH II 1952-2022. AUSTRALIA. 2023".
i) The specifications of the $5 (Five Dollars) Coin are:
Country: Australia; Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023; Denomination: $1 (One Dollar); Coin Theme: "Aussie Big Things"; Metal Composition: Al-Zn; Weight: 9.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 25.00 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mint: Royal Australian Mint (RAM); Mintage: TBA.
- There are also a limited number of Proof quality sets available for collectors.
The Presentation Box/Case for all the 10 Coins to be placed together, along with the shipper.
The Shipper (Front).
The Shipper (Back)
The Presentation Case/Box
Links:
The Punk Universe Banknote/Voucher & Coin Series:
Links to other Coins in the Cyborg Revolution Coin Series" issued in this Series:
The Tarot Card Collection:
11) "Wheel of Fortune", Tarot Cards, Niue Island: The Eleventh $2 (Two Dollars) Coin Card released by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2023
12) "Justice", Tarot Cards, Niue Island: The Twelfth $2 (Two Dollars) Coin Card releasedby the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2023
13) "The Hanged Man", Tarot Cards, Niue Island: The Thirteenth $2 (Two Dollars) Coin Card released by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2023
14) "Death", Tarot Cards, Niue Island: The Thirteenth $2 (Two Dollars) Coin Card in the Major Arcana released by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023
Great Birds Coin Series:
i) Wandering Albatross, Niue Island: "Great Birds Coin Series": First Coin in the Series: A $5 (Five Dollars) Wandering Albatross shaped Silver Coin released by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of the Niue Island: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023
Runes:
1) Did You Know Series (81): Runes, Germania Mint: A set of six Silver Antique Finish (AF) Runes - part of a set of 24 - used as a Divination Tool by using stones with symbols to answer questions about the last, present, and future: Year of Runes minted: 2023
Links to interesting posts from the South Pacific Island of Fiji:
Posts on Disney Occasions - Disney100:
i) Mickey Mouse and Friends, Niue Island: "Disney 100 Years of Wonder Coin Series (1923-2023)": A 1 oz Silver Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2023
ii) Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, Niue Island: "Disney 100 Years of Wonder Coin Series (1923-2023)": A 1/4 oz Gold Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2023
Post of "Avatar - The Way of Water":
i) "Avatar - The Way of Water", New Zealand: New Zealand Post has issued a set of postage stamps, which feature characters from the movie, which was also filmed in New Zealand: Date of Stamps issue: 01.03.2023
Posts on "The Lord Of The Rings" on this blog:
Wildlife in the Australian Antarctic Territory Coin Series:
Australian Dolphins Coin Series:
Australia's Coat of Arms Coin Series:
Links:
Other links to some interesting posts on Coins brought out by Coin Invest Trust on behalf of other countries including the Australian Continent:
Steampunk Coin Series:
Links to other posts on Metropolis Tiffany Art Coin Series:
Classic Australian Children's Books Coin Series:
1) "Animalia", A Book by Graeme Base, Australia: "Classic Australian Children's Books Coin Series": "35th Anniversary of Animalia (1986-2021);" The Royal Australian Mint (RAM) has issued a coloured 20c (Cent) Coin featuring the cover of this popular book: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2021
2) "Diary of a Wombat", Australia: "Classic Australian Children's Books Coin Series": 20th Anniversary of Diary of a Wombat (2002-2022)": The Royal Australian Mint (RAM) has issued the second 20c (Cent) Coin in the Series featuring this popular book: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2022
Links:
Links to Legendary Lands Coin Series:
Links to Code of the Future Coin Series:
Discovery of America Coin Series:
Links:
Fury of Nature Coin Series:
Amazing Animals Coin Series:
Links to posts on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Coin Series:
Links to posts on "The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection on this Blog:
i) The Mandalorian, Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued Gold and Silver Coins depicting the popular STAR WARS spin-off; ii) "Grogu" ("Baby Yoda"): Year of Coin issue: 2021
2) "Cara Dune", Niue Island: Second Coin in "The Mandalrian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting character from the STAR WARS Spin-off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021
3) "ASSASSIN DROID IG-11", Niue Island: Third Coin in "THe Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting characters from the STAR WARS Spin-Off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021
4) "GROGU" or "The CHILD" -("BABY YODA"), Niue Island: Fourth Coin in "The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting characters from the STAR WARS Spin-off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021
5) "Grogu in his mobile Cradle/Pram" or "THE CHILD" - ("Baby Yoda"), Niue Island: Fifth Coin in "The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting characters from the STAR WARS Spin-off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2022
6) Ahsoka Tano, Niue Island: The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection: New zealand Mint has issued Gold and silver Coins depicting the popular "STAR WARS" spin -off: Year of Coin issue: 2022
7) "BESKAR STEEL", Niue Island: "The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Rectangular Coin depicting the highly impenetrable protection material in the STAR WARS Spin-off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021
8) "Bo-Katan Kyrze", The Legendary Mandalorian Warrior, Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued $250 (Two Hundred Fifty Dollars - NZD) Gold, $25 Gold (Twenty Five Dollarrs - NZD) and $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting the popular STAR WARS spin-off: Year of Coin issue: 2022
Links to "Star Wars: A New Hope™":
7) The Sand Crawler ("The Mandalorian" & "Star Wars: A New Hope"), Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued $25 (Twenty Five Dollars - NZD) Gold and $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting the popular STAR WARS spin-off: Year of Coin issue: 2022
Links to posts on Boba Fett:
1) Boba Fett, New Zealand: An elegant Silver Miniature minted by the New Zealand Mint, features the popular Star Wars Bounty Hunter in full armour with his blaster at the ready: Date of issue: 10.12.2021
2) Boba Fett "Slave I" Starfighter, Niue Island: A One Oz Silver Coin depicts Fett's legendary spacecraft: Date of Coin issue: 10.12.2021 (with year of issue inscribed as 2022)
Other Links:
1) The "Empire's Death Star" (Star Wars), Niue Island: A Kilogram Dimensional Silver Coin of $ 100 NZD (Niue) minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island:Year of Coin issue: 2021
2) "Star Trek", Starfield Command, United Federation of Planets, Tuvalu: $2 "Holey Dollar" united with a $1 "Delta" Coin-set
3) "Dune" (a Science Fiction Novel) by Frank Herbert, APMEX, USA: A set of Silver and Gold Coins/Rounds issued by APMEX celebrating the most iconic themes from the 2021 movie, based on the Novel being released in October 2021: Date/Year of Coins issued: 2021
Links to The Bad Batch Coin Series:
1) HUNTER - The Leader of the "BAD BATCH - STAR WARS, Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued Silver $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Coins on behalf of Niue Island, depicting the "Clone Force 99" Group Leader: Year of Coin issue: 2022
2) WRECKER - The Demolition Expert of the "BAD BATCH" - STAR WARS, Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued Silver $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Coins on behalf of Niue Island, depicting the "Clone Force 99": Year od Coin issue: 2022
Links to interesting posts from the South Pacific Island of Fiji:
The Assassins Coin Series, Niue Island:
The Universe Coin Collection:
Links:
Links to Signs of the Zodiac Coin Series issued by the Czech Mint posts:
Femme Fatale Coin Series:
Women Warriors Coin Series:
For other interesting posts on Coins issued by the Slovakia National Bank, please visit the following links:
For other interesting posts on Coins issued by the Czech National Bank, please visit the following links:
Cycle of Armoured Vehicles Coin Series:
Links to posts on "Dog Breeds":
Links to posts from the Volga-Vyatka Mint (Numisart Mint) - Coin Series titled - "Confrontation":
Links to interesting posts from the South Pacific Island of Fiji:
Links to posts on Australia, New Zealand and Countries and Overseas Territories of the South Pacific etc on this Blog:
1) Bank of Papua New Guinea: 36th Anniversary Celebrations (1973-2008): A Commemorative Uncirculated Coin Set consisting of a 2 Kina Banknote & a 2 Kina Coin
The Earth and Beyond Coin Series:
Matariki: The Maori New Year:
Australian Wildflower Coin Series:
Steam Power - Australian Rail Heritage Coin Series:
Dreaming Down Under Coin Series:
Australian Coat of Arms Gold & Silver Bullion Coin Series:
"Australian Shipwrecks" Coin Series:
Beneath The Southern Skies Gold & Silver Bullion Coin Series:
Star Dreaming Coin Series:
Links to interesting Posts on coins from Tuvalu Islands:
Link to Posts from Tokelau:
Other interesting links to posts from Cook Islands minted by Coin Invest Trust:
Links to posts on issues from the Republic of Palau:
Links to other Coins issued in the Cyborg Revolution Coin Series by Republic of Palau:
Links to Posts on coin issues from Niue Islands:
Links to posts on "Dog Breeds":
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Coin Series:
The Tarot Card Collection:
The Witcher Coin Series, Niue Islands:
