Australia: New Silver and Gold Proof Coins Released as Part of Out of this World – Australia in Space Coin Program

Australia's history in outer space began in 1967 when they became one of the earliest nations to launch their own satellite. Working across government, industry and academia to advance Australia’s position in the global space economy, Today, the Australian Space Agency is at the heart of space exploration in Australia, which has several advantages that make the country a great place to further space travel and activity. Areas where Australia has a competitive edge or strategic interests are many which includes positioning, navigation and timing, Earth observation, communications technologies and much more.

Of particular interest is the Australian Space programme will contribute an Australian-designed and built rover which will be part of NASA’s Artemis program in the second half of the 2020’s. The rover is being developed by local industry and universities to demonstrate Australia’s expertise in remote operations. The rover will be operated from a control station in Australia and collect lunar soil from which NASA will try to extract oxygen. This will see Australia play a direct role in NASA’s mission to return to the Moon and on to Mars.

Designed by Elyssa Waterford, the reverse side on all options includes a depiction of Andrew Thomas, the first Australia-born career astronaut on a spacewalk and the launch of WRESAT-1 on a modified U.S. Redstone rocket in 1967. The satellite established Australia as the seventh nation to put a satellite into orbit and the third country to launch from its own territory, after the former Soviet Union and the United States. Also included in the design is an image of Earth, with the Australian continent clearly visible, and the moon, a reference to Australia's role in relaying the live television signal during Apollo 11, the first moon landing, and to an Australian-built robotic rover that will explore the lunar surface as part of NASA's Artemis program. Surrounding the primary design is the commemorative inscription OUT OF THIS WORLD and AUSTRALIA IN SPACE. An outer ring includes the words ROVERS · TECHNOLOGY · ROCKETS · ASTRONAUTS · SATELLITES · COMMUNICATIONS · GPS · ASTRONOMY · EXPLORATION · DISCOVERY. The coin’s obverse depicts an effigy of HM King Charles III created by Dan Thorne and the legend CHARLES III AUSTRALIA which is placed above the royal portrait. The denomination of 10 DOLLARS (gold) or 1 DOLLAR (silver & base metal)is placed below the likeness of the King.

The BU base metal set includes four 1 dollar coins presented in a sealed case with C (Canberra) Mintmark, S (Sydney), B (Brisbane) and M (Melbourne) Privy Marks. The gold and silver coins are encapsulated and presented in a two-piece custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the online webshop and automated ballot system of the Royal Australian Mint.

Dispatch of these products will commence Monday, 22nd April 2024​