The 2015 $1 Colour Poppy Coin is coming to Downies!

We are pleased to announce that the limited edition 2015 $1 WWI War Heroes Colour Coin featuring the red poppy motif is now available to order from Downies!

This official Australian legal tender coin was originally part of a promotion that saw fourteen 20 cent coins made available to the general public through newsagents over a two week period. The colour $1 coin was initially released exclusively to News Corp subscribers, and we were therefore surprised to learn that we would be soon receiving an allocation of the coin from the Royal Australian Mint. Thus, we are now able to pre-offer this exclusive $1 coin to the broader Australian collecting public.

This spectacular $1 coin features a poppy field design with a large central poppy motif rendered in an eye-catching red hue. At the top is the inscription ‘WWI – War Heroes’, while at the bottom is the coin denomination of ‘1 Dollar’. On the obverse side is the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley. Like regular one dollar coins struck by the Royal Australian Mint, the War Heroes coin is made from Aluminium-Bronze and measures 25mm in diameter. Unlike other dollar coins however, this colour release has been struck with a ‘frosted’ appearance, and only 13,500 coins have been minted for distribution worldwide.

Whilst we have received confirmation of our allocation from the Royal Australian Mint, the nature of the News Corp promotion means that a fixed date for delivery of the coins from the RAM has not been confirmed at this stage. We are expecting, however, that delivery from the RAM will take place by early June. We will be sending an email notification to those who order this coin as soon as we receive a firm delivery date.

Click here to pre-order the 2015 $1 WWI War Heroes Colour Poppy Coin

New 2015 Colour Lest We Forget $2 Coin Design Revealed

The design for the new 2015 Lest We Forget colour $2 circulation coin has been revealed today at a special ANZAC Commemoration Ceremony held in Melbourne. The event was held at the Malvern Cricket Ground in Melbourne’s inner east, hosted by the Honorable Kelly O’Dwyer MP (Federal Member for Higgins & Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer) and Cr Melina Sehr, Mayor of City of Stonnington and featuring a number of other dignitaries.

Scroll down to see more photos from the Anzac Ceremony, including the $2 Lest We Forget Colour Coin

Hundreds of people braved the temperamental Melbourne Autumn weather to attend the ceremony which stared with a march from Malvern Gardens, up High St and finished at the Malvern Cricket Ground. Around the grounds were tents for various local entities such as schools and businesses, as well as Kelly O’Dwyer’s mobile office which had on display one of the $2 colour commemorative coins due to enter circulation from tomorrow.

The coin features red stripes in a circular pattern in the middle, framing the words “Lest We Forget”, with a design around the coin consisting of 5 crosses among a ring of poppies. In the bottom portion is the coin denomination of Two Dollars.

Unlike previous colour $2 coins issued into circulation, the 2015 Lest We Forget $2 coin will not be available to buy in Uncirculated condition through the Royal Australian Mint. Approximately 1.5 million coins will begin to be released into circulation by the Reserve Bank of Australia as of tomorrow, Monday April 20th, although it may take several days or even weeks for them to be fully released.

However much like previous colour $2 issues, there is little doubt that due to the poignant nature of the commemoration and sheer difference in design of these coins from the regular $2, people will hoard them away instead of spending them, making them quite hard to find in a short space of time. The same has happened with the 2014 $2 Remembrance Day Green Colour Coin, the 2013 $2 Coronation Purple Colour Coin and the 2012 $2 Poppy Red Colour Coin. The latter being distributed through the national RSL Red Poppy Appeal rather than through the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Canada is the only other country to have released colour coinage into circulation – and this is only the 4th Australian circulating coin to be issued in colour – making this a significant commemoration of the ANZAC Centenary as we approach the 100th anniversary of the battle at Gallipoli.

So keep your eye on your small change over the coming days and weeks and if you find one of these colour commemorative $2 coins be sure to post a picture below or on our Facebook Page.

More photos from the Anzac Ceremony

Unique Tribute to our Fallen: Remembrance Day $2 Commemorative Coin with Colour Poppy Imprint

To honour Australia’s fallen and their families, the Royal Australian Mint has issued the first colour coin struck for circulation in Australia.

The coin features a colour poppy on the reverse, the accepted symbol of Remembrance Day and so used for the poppies that were the first plant to grow on the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium. This haunting image was so powerfully captured by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in his poem In Flanders Fields, that it became the symbol of the blood shed by soldiers who have died in battle and is recognised around the world.

This coin is an historic tribute to those men and women who fell defending this country and its allies. It is also a poignant reminder of the role that Australia’s Armed Forces continue to play and is a fitting Remembrance Day commemoration.

Your chance to be involved in a significant part of Australia’s history … Twice.

This release has deep significance for all those who remember Australia’s fallen service men and women, or who have a connection to those who served. Not only does it have a strong historical significance, but this release also has deep numismatic importance.

The Royal Australian Mint has released three versions of the coin, each slightly different but ground-breaking. The non-colour commemorative release is, along-side its coloured counterpart, the first commemorative $2 ever to be issued into circulation.

The colour version of the circulation release is significant in two ways; it’s the first colour coin to ever be struck for circulation in Australia, and it has an unusual release channel. This version of the coin will be available at RSLs around the country in exchange for a donation, starting Remembrance Day.

The third type is a full colour, uncirculated commemorative coin with a unique ‘C’ mintmark, and is available now, here. Not only is this coin struck using the RAM’s state-of-the-art full-colour minting process, but it is presented in an official Mint display pack. It has already proven to be extremely popular among collectors for its numismatic and historic significance and is sure to be a valued collector’s item for years to come.

This is a coin that holds a deep and special significance for all Australians. So whether you buy the specially packaged commemorative edition of the coin, donate to your local RSL or find one of the circulating coins in your change, be sure to take a moment to admire this piece of Australian and numismatic history, and remember the fallen.

Visit your local RSL on Remembrance Day this November 11^th, or head to Downies.com to secure your piece of Australian history.

Honouring the Rats of Tobruk…

Dead, wounded and held captive – The Battle of Tobruk

8 months, 559 dead, 2450 wounded and 941 taken prisoner, in 1941 Australian troops endured intense bombing and constant threat of attack from both the German and Italian forces. Fighting through incredible heat, cold, thirst and hunger with unmistakable bravery, determination and passion – 2011 marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Tobruk.
Commemorating one of the first major battles that Australia fought in World War II, The Rats of Tobruk 1941 Special Exhibition is on display in the Canberra Memorial until November 16 2011.

A critical feat in Australian history, Downies is proud to present two Tobruk releases honouring our Aussie hero’s:

Genuine ‘Rats of Tobruk’ Medal Group

One of the most prestigious pieces of militaria to be offered by Downies – this genuine medal group awarded to Sapper Robert Charles Boulger – an Australian Serviceman who not only served at Tobruk but also managed to escape captivity in Europe in 1943. Comprised of ‘The Rats of Tobruk Medal’ received as testimony to Boulger’s service, the set also includes the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Accompanied by an array of personal memorabilia, this striking set allows the rare opportunity for a collector to connect with one of Australia’s true hero’s.

2011 $1 Tobruk 1oz Silver Proof

The second release in the Perth Mint’s Famous Battles collection, this full colour reverse depicts the Australian soldiers at the siege of Tobruk. Struck to Proof quality from 1oz of .999 fine silver, this legal tender, 40.60mm release is a stunning tribute to the legendary Battle of Tobruk.

Protecting Australia’s Endangered Species – National Threatened Species Day – September 7

Developed as a Government Initiative to raise awareness of our endangered species, National Threatened Species Day is an annual event held throughout Australia on September 7. Founded in 1996 to commemorate the date of the death of the last known Tasmanian tiger held in captivity in Hobart in 1936, National Threatened Species Day supports numerous activities geared to protect and conserve our immediate environment.

The perfect commemorative to celebrate this national campaign, the Niue 2011 $1 Last Tasmanian Tiger Lenticular Gold Plated Proof Like coin depicts ‘Benjamin’ in a stunning 8-part moving image design. Using original video footage of the last known Tasmanian tiger from 1936 – this tribute is struck as official Australian legal tender.

With a perfect partner also available in a 1oz 99.9% Silver Proof, each 2011 release forms the ideal tribute to one of Australia’s most famous icons!