ACT News

Save
Print

Marvellous: Richie Benaud 50 cent coin goes on sale from the Royal Australian Mint

They're a crafty bunch at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra.

We  especially like how they came up with the mintage - that is the maximum number of coins to be released - for the new 50 cent coin featuring the late, great Richie Benaud.

The Mint will produce exactly 95,929 coins honouring the legendary Australian cricketer and commentator.

And how did they come up with that number?

Well, they are a combination of statistics from Benaud's cricketing career.

So that is: 13,920 runs, 1193 wickets, 26 100s, 70 50s, 79,589 balls bowled , 319 catches, 322 matches, 462 batting innings and 28 Tests captained for Australia.

Advertisement

Which all adds up to the grand total of 95,929. Marvellous.

The 2017 50 cent coin will not be in general circulation but instead a special collectible. But it's still, technically, legal tender.

It is available for sale in store or online at the Royal Australian Mint.  

The special pack costs $10 and we hear sales are doing very well.

Benaud's widow Daphne was present for the coin toss on day one of the  Australia v Pakistan test at the Sydney Cricket Ground this week when the Richie coin was used.

Mint CEO Ross MacDiarmid said it had been a pleasure for Mint staff to work alongside Daphne and the Benaud family to celebrate his legacy.

"Richie Benaud will forever be an integral part of cricket, from his reputation as a talented sportsman to his renowned demeanour in the commentary box, and the Mint is proud to be able to produce a meaningful coin to remember his career," said Mr MacDiarmid.