2016-02-23 Tue

To celebrate 50 years of decimal currency, The Royal Australian Mint has released a limited run of commemorative 50 cent coins. Citizens get to exchange their small change for a bag of the rare coins, of which only five million will be produced.

Budding coin collectors lined up along with their grandparents as well excitedly to own this beauty that’s a milestone in the history of Australian coinage.

The president of the Bendigo Coin and Collectibles Club has a passion for Wild West currency, the sort of money cowboys might have spent in dusty saloons during the 19th century. He believes that one can learn a lot from coins about a country.

Transitions in coinage systems are sometimes bumpy and some collectors remember of the elderly people who had a bit of trouble changing from florens to 20 cent pieces.

The mint will nevertheless produce commemorative editions of all other coins during the half-century celebrations throughout 2016.