Yahoo Finance Heartbreaking message behind new $2 Aussie coin
Australians can expect to see a new $2 coin in circulation, after the Royal Australian Mint decided to create it in honour of those who fought in the 2019-20 bushfires.
The $2 coin features a bright orange flame in the middle of the coin, with two firefighters back-to-back in the background. One firefighter is female, and one is male.
If you don’t want to miss out, you can purchase the coin from the Mint’s eShop for $10. The Royal Australian Mint is also releasing an uncirculated version of the coin marked with a ‘C’, of which there are only 40,000. You can purchase this version for $15.
Royal Australian Mint general manager Mark Cartwright said $125,000 from the proceeds of the sale of the coin will go towards fire and emergency services organisations across the country.
“The Mint is immensely aware of the bravery and sacrifice that goes into being a firefighter,” Cartwright said.
“Providing some financial benefit back to the firefighting community is a tangible way for us to assist these critical organisations to prepare for the summer ahead.”
Cartwright said the coins were an “everyday reminder” of the commitment of firefighters and emergency service personnel to protecting Australian lives.
“We should not forget that it was less than 12 months ago that large parts of Australia were on fire,” he said.
“Our firefighters – both career and voluntary – courageously combated the extreme conditions to keep us safe.
“Australia’s 170,000 plus firefighters are revered for their bravery and dedication. From the cities to the outback, they protect us from danger and are always prepared to step up when needed.”
Nine Australian firefighters and three American firefighters lost their lives fighting the blaze earlier this year, and more than 3,000 Australians lost their homes.
New $100 note
The new coin comes as the Reserve Bank of Australia pushed a new $100 Australian note into circulation - the last new banknote to be replaced as part of the nation’s security upgrade.
The note’s feature opera singer Dame Nellie Melba and engineer and civic leader Sir John Monash.
While they officially entered circulation on Thursday, the RBA expects it to be “some time” before you start to see the note regularly.
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