Royal Australian Mint CEO Mr Ross MacDiarmid has revealed the Royal Australian Mint’s new theme for its gallery press which this year is honouring the 200th anniversary of the publication of Matthew Flinders’ journal ‘A Voyage to Terra Australis.’ The theme was revealed to a crowd who were waiting outside the Mint’s building for the opportunity to be one of the first 100 in the world to strike a coin in 2014. “This special new year event is one that is marked on many of our coin collectors’ calendars as it is a rare opportunity to be, what is possibly, the first person in the world to make a coin in 2014,” Mr MacDiarmid commented.
Mr MacDiarmid explained that the coin design that the dedicated collectors struck today features an intricate $1 uncirculated coin with an artistic impression of Australia and a stylised tall ship in full sail within a compass rose, marking the 200th anniversary of Matthew Flinders’ journal ‘A Voyage to Terra Australis.’.
Matthew Flinders was a remarkable sailor, captain and explorer, his journal recounts a time when Australia was a vast unknown land for European settlers. The journal includes tales of Flinders’ expeditions aboard HMAS Investigator and other vessels, including the first circumnavigation of the Australian continent,
“The Royal Australian Mint recognises important Australian historic milestones and with this coin we are honouring one of Australia’s most accomplished explorers and the man attributed to first referring this land as Australia,” said Mr MacDiarmid.
Mr MacDiarmid explained that the coin will feature in the Mint’s gallery press for the entire year and all bear a ‘C’ for Canberra mark, making these coins a memento to keep forever, and one that will also be sought after by many collectors.