2003 Australia's Volunteers Coins
By CAA | Saturday, 8 June 2024
In November 2002, the Royal Australia Mint releases 3 commemorative circulation coins on Australia's Volunteers. These coins were also part of the Royal Australian Mint's 2003 collector's Six Coin Set (Proof and Uncirculated finishes).
The coins were designed in consultation with Volunteering Australia and the set officially launched at a special celebration breakfast at the Mintattended by over 100 representatives of volunteer and community organisations.
The tribute set salutes over 4 million Australians who give freely of their time to help others and benefit their communities with the theme: making a difference.
The phrase is featured on a banner gold $1 coin while a dazzling 50c piece depicts a kaleidoscope of volunteers from emergency services, meals on wheels, shelters, charity operations as well as conservationists, sports volunteers, firefighters and surf lifesavers.
A 20 cents piece brings together a group portrait of a tiny cross-section of everyday Australians, showing that anyone can be a volunteer.
Controller of the Royal Australian Mint, Vivienne Thom, said that since the phenomenal success of the Sydney Olympics the world increasingly saw the volunteering spirit as a defining quality in the Australian character.
But the truth is that volunteering spirit has always been there. It's just in true laid back Aussie style, these remarkable individuals go about their duties with neither fuss nor fanfare.
Sha Cordingley, CEO of Volunteering Australia, thanked the Mint for the opportunity to be involved in such an exciting project, saying:
Such a wonderful tribute would only help to inspire more people to recognise the value of volunteering
Included in the Proof set, the 1 dollar coin is coloured.
Release prices
- Proof set: $73.76
- Uncirculated set: $22.70
Specifications - Circulation coins
20 cents
- Alloy: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
- Diameter: 28.52 mm
- Weight: 11.31 g
- Obverse: Ian Rank Broadley
- Mintage:
- Circulation: 7,574,000
- Uncirculated Sets: 118,260
- Proof Sets: 53,889
- Silver Sets: 6,500
50 cents
- Alloy: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
- Diameter: 31.5 mm
- Weight: 15.55 g
- Obverse: Ian Rank Broadley
- Mintage:
- Circulation: 13,927,000
- Uncirculated Sets: 121,509
- Proof Sets: 53,889
- Silver Sets: 6,500
- Gold Sets: 620
1 dollar
- Alloy: 92% Copper, 6% Aluminium, 2% Nickel
- Diameter: 25 mm
- Weight: 9 g
- Obverse: Ian Rank Broadley
- Mintage:
- Circulation: 4,149,000
- Uncirculated Sets: 121,509
- Proof Sets: 53,889
- Silver Sets: 6,500
- Gold Sets: 620
