Australia’s first ever “stamp-coin” marks Beijing Olympic Games

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Australia Post and The Perth Mint will today release Australia’s first ever legal tender stamp shaped coin (“stamp-coin”) to celebrate the Beijing Olympic Games.

This new “stamp-coin” has been designed by Australia Post and produced by The Perth Mint. Issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, the 50 cent coin is in the shape of a stamp with the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.

The front of the coin is a depiction of the colourful 2008 Beijing Olympic Games 50 cent commemorative stamp featuring a colourful Chinese Dragon and the AOC logo.

In keeping with the Chinese belief in the lucky number 8, the number of coins produced is being limited to the lucky number of 8,000. The Beijing Olympic Games will commence at 8.00pm on the eighth day of the eighth month in 2008.

The limited edition stamp-coin, which is 99.9% silver and weighs 15.594 grams, retails for $89.95 and is available through the Australian Philatelic Bureau on 1800 331 794 and participating postal outlets while stocks last. Other stamp products available in this release include first day cover ($0.80), maxicard ($1.25), sheetlet pack ($5.45), postal and numismatic cover ($14.95), roll of 200, and aerogramme.

“With the Beijing Olympic Games set to be one of the most spectacular and innovative Games of all time, we thought this was a fitting event to commemorate on Australia’s first ever stamp-coin” explained Noel Leahy, Group Manager Philatelic, Australia Post. “The depiction of the Chinese Dragon on the stamp and the coin also reflects China’s proud history and culture.”

Designed by Lynda Warner, the stamp and the stamp-coin features the Chinese Dragon, a mythological symbol that represents the vigour and vitality of China. Hobart based Lynda Warner is one of Australia’s foremost graphic designers and has designed several stamps for Australia Post including Outback Services (2001), Australian Antarctic Research (2002) and Aviation in the AAT (2005).

This is the first stamp issue to be released by Australia Post for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with an additional set of three sports themed commemorative stamps to be released on 1 August. This will be followed by the enormously popular Gold Medallists instant stamps that Australia Post will issue during the Games. Every Australian athlete and team that wins gold in Beijing will have their images from the gold medal podium printed on stamp sheetlets.