In the stillness before sunrise each Anzac Day, Australians gather in quiet reflection. Across cities, towns and small communities, people stand together in the dim light of dawn to remember those who have served our nation.
It is a moment defined by silence and gratitude.
The Royal Australian Mint will honour this national tradition with the release of two new coins marking the significance of the dawn service. The 2026 $2 'C' Mintmark Coloured Uncirculated Coin and the 2026 $2 'C' Mintmark Coloured Fine Silver Proof Coin recognise the enduring place the dawn service holds in the hearts of Australians.
The design will also appear on a circulating coin, allowing the tribute to pass through many hands across the country.
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, the Hon. Andrew Leigh MP said the coin serves as a lasting tribute to all Australians who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
"Each Anzac Day, before the sun lifts above the horizon, Australians gather in a shared stillness. This coin captures that fleeting moment in metal, carrying the memory of service and sacrifice into everyday life," Dr Leigh said.
The coin's design captures the quiet gravity of the moment before the sun rises.
At its centre, the dawn sun breaks across an endless ocean. The Mint's print protection ridges shape the sun's rays. Above the water they are straight and bold. Beneath the horizon they soften into gentle waves, reflecting the movement of the sea.
Below the rising sun stretches a seemingly endless crowd gathered in the early light. The figures represent the thousands who attend dawn services each year. They stand shoulder to shoulder in shared remembrance.
On the headland, a lone soldier faces the horizon. With head bowed, the figure stands in contemplation as the first light appears.
Within the design poppies slowly transforms into the assembled crowd beneath the horizon. The flowers emerge as a quiet symbol of remembrance carried from one generation to the next.
Captured in the soft light of dawn, the coin honours the courage, sacrifice and service of those who have worn our nation's uniform. It reflects the solemn promise Australians renew each year on Anzac Day: to remember, to reflect and to give thanks.
As the sun rises and the silence lifts, the spirit of the dawn service continues.
Through this release the Royal Australian Mint invites Australians to carry that moment of remembrance with them.
