2015 Orange Coloured $2 (image courtesy ramint.gov.au)
Last month a new currency determination was handed down in the Australian Parliament and it included provision for a new coloured $2 coin. You can see the currency determination here. This time the coin is going to include “a pattern of orange coloured stripes, wherein the stripes are superimposed on 3 concentric circles”. According to the determination there’s going to be a bird in flight on the reverse (perhaps a peace dove) and behind the stripes and the bird some of the words to John McCrae’s poem, “In Flander’s Fields”. You can read the full poem and some background to the author and the poem on this interesting site about World War 1.
A more detailed examination of the determination shows that it allows for the minting of the coin with a C in the center of the reverse, a C in a circle in the center of the reverse, and the representation of a poppy in the center of the reverse. Presumably the coin with a C will be available pre-packaged from the mint while the C in a circle and the poppy will be applied by the RAM’s portable press during events around Australia. Perhaps even at ceremonies held around Remembrance Day on November 11 this year.
We’ve heard through back channels that these coins will be distributed as rolls through dealers. Perhaps the RAM is attempting to fix up the distribution problems that so vexed collectors when the 2015 Lest We Forget $2 coin was released. We’ve also heard that the pictures of the coin will be available on the 25th of October when a media embargo is lifted. Stay tuned for more news!
