Wednesday 14 March 2018: Australians can get into the spirit of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games from today when the first of three $2 limited edition coins become available as change for shoppers exclusively via Woolworths tills nationwide.

Created by The Royal Australian Mint, the coins, which have commenced their circulation journey at Woolworths, capture the essence of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, with designs honouring the Australian team, the host city and this event’s iconic mascot, Borobi.

The three coloured rings around each $2 coin draws inspiration from the Gold Coast landscape - the yellow sun, blue sky and sea, the lush green hinterland and its colourful wildlife. A total of 8 million special edition Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games $2 coins will enter circulation via Woolworths from now until 4th of April.

The Royal Australian Mint is also releasing a limited edition Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Coin Collection album that will be available exclusively at Woolworths for $15, while stocks last. 

Royal Australian Mint CEO Mr Ross MacDiarmid said; “The Royal Australian Mint has a proud tradition of marking our nation’s greatest sporting moments through coins, medals and medallions. Capturing the essence of the Gold Coast 2018  Commonwealth Games, this unique seven coin set treasure will be a fitting symbol of the unity, athletic prowess, culture and passion that will be displayed on the Gold Coast in April 2018. Finding and keeping these coins will give you a taste of coin collecting, one of the oldest and most popular hobbies in the world.”

Australian Paralympic swimming champion Brenden Hall OAM, helped to celebrate the launch of the first coins in Woolworths. 

Brenden Hall said; “It’s wonderful to see this new coin collection paying tribute to our nation's great sports heritage. I hope that this collection will remind Australians of the fantastic efforts of our team at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in years to come.”

Woolworths is the official fresh partner and supermarket of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Woolworths Director of Marketing Andrew Hicks said; “We are really excited that we can bring a taste of the Gold Coast 2018  Commonwealth Games to local communities. The release of this coin collection exclusive through Woolworths is just one of the ways we are helping our customers support our Australian team at Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and we hope it inspires a new generation of home-grown athletes and sporting champions.”

There will be a staggered release of the coins over the next few weeks, with the first $2 coin design to be seen in Woolworths tills across the country from today. The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games coin collection is the second collection created by the Royal Australian Mint that pays tribute to Australian sports, the first being the 2016 Australian Olympic Collector Coin Series, which was also distributed exclusively by Woolworths. 

- ENDS -