Commemorating 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages, the Royal Australian Mint, in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), has released a new 50c coin.
Chief Executive of the Mint, Ross MacDiarmid said the coin’s design incorporated 14 translations for ‘coin’ from some of the many Indigenous languages in Australia.
“These coins are a celebration of Australia’s unique and diverse Indigenous languages, we hope the coins will serve as a tangible reminder of the important efforts being undertaken to preserve, protect and revitalise Indigenous languages in Australia,” Mr MacDiarmid said.
“Languages are central to the identity of Indigenous Australians and the second National Indigenous Languages Survey, conducted in 2014 by AIATSIS, recognised that remaining connected to language strengthens wellbeing and self-esteem in Indigenous communities.”
Chief Executive of AIATSIS, Craig Ritchie said Indigenous languages carried more meaning than the words themselves.
“The release of these coins is another milestone in recognising the diverse cultures that shape our national story of over 60,000 years,” Mr Ritchie said.
For those looking to keep the coin, a frosted uncirculated version is available for $10 and a fine silver proof version is available for $80 by visiting the Mint website.
