Senator Nick Sherry, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, has today launched the first Australian ANZAC coin from a new annual legal tender program honouring all men and women who have served their country since the Gallipoli campaign of 1915.
"The 2009 ANZAC coin release symbolises the importance of remembering the sacrifices of Australian diggers by the generations following them with a commemorative design of a former serviceman and a young child," Minister Sherry said.
"The 2009 ANZAC $1 coin produced by The Perth Mint expresses the extraordinary pride that Australians have in their defence forces," Minister Sherry said.
As well as The Perth Mint's historic 'P' mintmark, the reverse design includes a silhouetted bugler, the words 'Lest We Forget' and the date of ANZAC Day – April 25 – on which the lives of all Australians lost in war time are remembered.
The coin's obverse shows the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"With an unrestricted mintage, the new coin provides as many people as possible with the opportunity to acquire an official Australian numismatic tribute," said Ed Harbuz, Perth Mint Chief Executive.
Each subsequent coin in the program will bear a different symbolic design, offering buyers the chance to build a collection. The first release is housed in an illustrated presentation card featuring a fold-out stand for upright display. The card depicts a proud young Australian honouring the service of a relative by wearing his medals on the right breast.
The coin is available from The Perth Mint Shop or online at www.perthmint.com.au.
Images of The Perth Mint's 2009 ANZAC $1 Coin can be found and downloaded from http://www.perthmint.com.au/product-photgraphy-distributors.aspx.