2019-05-17 Fri

Australia released three commemorative coins remembering the mutiny on HMS Bounty, The Rum Rebellion and The Eureka Stockade at the National Maritime Museum in Sydney on 14th May. These coins are a part of a new limited edition commemorative legal tender coin-series. These three significant events were turning points in Australian history which eventually led to the formation of a democratic nation. Several important dignitaries from Australian National Maritime Museum and Royal Australian Mint were present at the launch event.

Modern software and hardware were used to capture a moment in history through these coins. The Mutiny On The Bounty coins and The Mutiny and Rebellion – 3 Coin Collection Case are already out in the market. The Rum Rebellion coins and The Eureka Stockade coins will be available from 3rd June and 5th August 2019, respectively.

A group of sailors mutinied on HMS Bounty in the south Pacific on 28th April 1789 due to growing discontent. Acting Lieutenant Fletcher Christian took over from the captain, Lieutenant William Bligh. William Bligh and 18 sailors were abandoned in the ship's open launch. The mutineers settled on Tahiti or on Pitcairn Island while Bligh crossed 3,500 nautical miles in the launch to reach safety, and started fighting for justice.

Arthur Phillip's First Fleet of convicts founded Sydney in 1788 as the first European settlement in Australia. On 26th January 1808, the New South Wales Corps under Major George Johnston and John Macarthur took over Governor of New South Wales, William Bligh. This historic event is called as the Rum Rebellion of 1808. The military ruled the colony after the rebellion until Major-General Lachlan Macquarie arrived as the new governor in 1810.

Gold miners in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia revolted against the colonial powers of the United Kingdom in 1854, which eventually led to the Battle of the Eureka Stockade that was fought on 3rd December 1854 at Eureka Lead. A stockade structure was built by miners during the battle. Several rebels sacrificed their lives in the battle.

Image Courtesy: The Royal Australian Mint