Australian mint releases new 50 cent coins which feature the word 'money' written in 14 Aboriginal languages
- Royal Australian Mint released the two new coins on Monday
- 50 cent coin is meant to mark the International Year of Indigenous Languages
- New $2 coin is meant to commemorate the 1919 repatriation of WWI vets
The Royal Australian Mint has released a new $2 coin and 50 cent coin in celebration of the country's WWI vets and Australia's indigenous groups.
The two new coins were put into circulation on Monday but were unveiled today to mark the International Year of Indigenous Languages and to commemorate the repatriation of WWI vets.
The 50 cent coin design features the word 'money' or 'coin' emblazoned in 14 different indigenous languages in a nod to Australia's national heritage.
The $2 coin features a more colourful design with the words 'One Hundred Years of Repatriation' printed on the surface - as a tribute to the 1919 Repatriation Department.
The Royal Australian Mint has released a new 50 cent coin and $2 coin emblazoned with 14 indigenous languages in celebration of the country's diversity
The 50 cent coin design features the word 'money' or 'coin' translated 14 different ways in a nod to Australia's national heritage
Mint Chief Executive Ross MacDiarmid said he hopes the new 50 cent coin will help preserve the country's indigenous languages.
Currently, there are only 120 known Australian Indigenous languages spoken, a large drop from the 250 in 1788.
The design was produced with the help of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Studies as well as 14 different groups including the Kaurna people native to Adelaide.
'Indigenous languages carry more meaning than the words themselves, so too does currency carry meaning beyond its monetary value,' AIATSIS CEO Craig Ritchie said in a release on Tuesday.
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'The release of these coins is another milestone in recognising the diverse cultures that shape our national story of over 60,000 years.'
AIATSIS CEO Craig Ritchie said that remaining connected to language strengthened well-being and self-esteem in Indigenous communities.
The Mint said the $2 coin will highlight the 'centenary of the vital task of repatriation.'
