New 50c coin honours 50 years of NAIDOC

New 50 cent coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) have been unveiled by the Royal Australian Mint today.

New 50 cent coins have been unveiled to mark the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC.

Despite not being released to the public just yet, the coins are already selling for a premium price online.

Aussies will be able to get their hands on the 2024 50 cent Coloured Frosted NAIDOC Week this week. Just 50,000 of the coins, which were designed by Dagoman, Wardaman, Gurindji artist Cortney Glass, have been minted.

The obverse of the coin features the effigy of King Charles, while the reverse features the number 50, along with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and a gathering of 10 individuals in blue to represent the coming together of the committee.

Co-chair of the National NAIDOC Committee Aunty Lynette Riley said the coin was a special keepsake of the significant milestone.

“Fifty years of NAIDOC being coordinated by an all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee is significant in the recognition and empowerment of Indigenous people to control the messages, through the themes we want Australia to focus on and learn about through our directions,” Riley said.

“The coin image selected by Cortney epitomises what NAIDOC is about, through the listing of all the themes from 1972, surrounded by artwork which emphasises culture as our foundation for who we are; and the ongoing struggles in fighting for Indigenous rights and that this is done in solidarity.”

NAIDOC Week is observed annually from the first Sunday of July. It celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.

The Royal Mint said the coins would serve as a “memento for Indigenous Australia”. Plus, as a “rarely produced” coloured 50 cent coin, the Mint said it would be a “must-have” for collectors.

The rarity and low mintage of the coin appears to have already pushed up prices.

The 50 cent coin is available to purchase for $20 but some sellers are offering them up for far more online.

Despite not being released yet, the coins are being listed for up to $149 each on eBay as pre-sale purchases. That’s more than seven times their RRP.

From 8:30am today, Aussies can enter an online EQL ballot to go in the draw to buy one of the coins. The winners will be notified within 24 hours.

From 8:30am tomorrow, the coin will be available for sale through the Mint’s Contact Centre, coin shop and participating authorised distributors.