Royal Australian Mint launches Big Things coin collection

Honouring the nation’s love of ‘Big Things’, the Royal Australian Mint has today launched its latest $1 coin collection featuring some of the nation’s best known tourism icons, including The Big Pineapple, The Big Jumping Crocodile, The Big Banana, Big Swoop and The Big Lobster.

Available through Australia Post and the Royal Australian Mint’s outlets from this week, the collectable coins are paying homage to 10 of Australia’s Big Things.

According to Australia Post research, almost 90% of the population have visited at least one of around 1,000 ‘Big Things’ scattered across the country at some point.

Introducing the collection, Australia Post General Manager Retail Product and Supply Chain, Kayla Le Cornu advised “our ‘Big Things’ are colourful, entertaining and truly make their mark in so many local communities across Australia.”

Advising that Australia’s ‘Big Things’ are loved by all, Federal Assistant Minister for Charities, Competition and Treasury Andrew Leigh noted “whether it’s The Big Banana, The Big Pineapple, or Canberra’s very own Big Swoop, the best ‘Big Things’ celebrate the character of our communities and give visitors a reason to smile and pop in for a visit.

“While the Mint’s ‘Big Things’ coins may be of standard size, the memories they evoke loom large.”

The Australia Post research revealed the three most important factors people value for a good ‘Big Things’ visit - size, condition and lots to do onsite.

University of Sunshine Coast lecturer and expert on Australia’s ‘Big Things’, Dr Amy Clarke added “’Big Things’ can be a one-trick pony if there isn’t something else to do onsite. Once you’ve got a photo, the chances of going back are low, unless there’s plenty of additional fun to be had.

“And while people often associate ‘Big Things’ with the 1980s, when a lot of them were built, we’re still building more ‘Big Things’ today.”

Australia Post’s research also found some specific requests for new Big Things, including:

• A big black swan in Perth

• A big gold nugget or pan in Ballarat

• A big surfboard on the Gold Coast

• A big quokka on Rottnest Island in Western Australia

• A big football or a big coffee in Melbourne

• A big Tassie tiger for Tasmania

The full ‘Big Things’ coin collection includes:

• The Big Pineapple - Sunshine Coast, Queensland

• The Big Banana - Coffs Harbour, NSW

• Giant Koala - Dadswell Bridge, Victoria

• Big Tasmanian Devil - Mole Creek, Tasmania

• Big Blue Heeler - Muswellbrook, NSW

• Big Jumping Croc - Wak Wak, Northern Territory

• The Big Lobster - Kingston, South Australia

• Giant Ram - Wagin, Western Australia

• Giant Murray Cod - Swan Hill, Victoria

• Big Swoop - Canberra, ACT

Stamps collection: Big Tasmanian Devil, Giant Murray Cod, Big Swoop, Big Jumping Crocodile, and the Giant Koala.

Main image courtesy of Australia Post.