The Royal Australian Mint has launched the nation’s first ever coin hunt, Australia’s Dollar Discovery.
The Mint described the hunt as a “fun way to encourage the public, and families in particular, to engage with coin collecting”.
Chief Executive of the Mint, Ross MacDiarmid said he hoped the program would encourage a whole new generation of collectors, both young and old, to not only collect coins but also be reminded of the value of a dollar.
He said that a poll of 1,000 people commissioned by the Mint found that most respondents agreed that saving pocket money and collecting coins helped develop patience, persistence and financial literacy, particularly for children.
“The poll also found that nearly half of today’s adults have nostalgic memories of saving coins in their piggy banks and six in 10 now give kids coins to save or collect as a hobby,” Mr MacDiarmid said.
“Australia’s Dollar Discovery will encourage more families and children to collect, with three million $1 coins marked with the letters A, U and S being released into circulation, providing an opportunity for people to begin their own collections.”
He said the need to collect was as old as humanity and transcended time and culture.
“Australia’s Dollar Discovery is a nationwide treasure hunt that we hope encourages Australians of all ages and from every State and Territory to check their change for these special coins,” Mr MacDiarmid said.
Families who collect one of each coin can enter for their chance to win one of eight trips to Canberra where they will stay at Jamala Wildlife Lodge at the National Zoo and Aquarium and get the rare opportunity to mint their very own one kilogram pure silver coin.
Winners will be announced on the 35th anniversary of the launch of the $1 coin, 14 May 2019.
