New NAIDOC coin already fetching $145 online a day after release

A limited-edition coin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Aboriginal and Islands Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) is already fetching prices

A limited-edition coin to mark the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC is already fetching prices up to $145 online a day after it was released.

The Royal Australian Mint launched the collectable coin on Thursday through a ballot system. It was available to purchase for $20 and sold out.

The 50 cent coin was designed by Aboriginal artist Cortney Glass, who worked with the National Indigenous Australians Agency, NAIDOC and the mint on the project.

The 50 at the centre of the coin was used to highlight NAIDOC’s history, and the blue at the bottom of the coin represented the 10 people who came together to form the committee.

The other side features an effigy of King Charles.

Ms Glass said she was incredibly grateful for the opportunity.

“As a girl originally from the small country town of Katherine, Northern Territory being the artist behind a special collectable coin is beyond my wildest dreams. This experience is truly an honour, and I am profoundly thankful for it,” she said.

NAIDOC co-chair Lynette Riley said the organisation had worked tirelessly to bring the coin to life and it was a special keepsake of a significant milestone.

“Fifty years of NAIDOC being co-ordinated 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,” she 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.

“In producing this coin, we wish to celebrate and pay homage to all our people who have worked tirelessly over the past 50 years to ensure NAIDOC is a celebration of our people and our cultures, locally, statewide, and nationally.

“Our elders, who first established NAIDOC, would be very proud of them all.”

The commemorative coin was unveiled during a civic reception at the Adelaide Town Hall hosted by Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith.

She said NAIDOC Week let people celebrate Indigenous culture, reflect on the past and honour the contributions of First Nations people.

“It’s an enormous honour for Adelaide to be chosen as the host city for this year’s celebrations, including hosting the national NAIDOC Awards as well as the unveiling of this commemorative coin,” she said.

Assistant Minister for Treasury Andrew Leigh said the Mint had a strong history of celebrating Australia’s Indigenous heritage and storytelling on coins.

“I would like to congratulate the national NAIDOC committee and their winning artist, Cortney Glass, on achieving such a beautiful design,” he said.