Rugby Australia and the Royal Australian Mint have joined forces with sports retailer Rebel to salute the Wallabies and Wallaroos by unveiling commemorative $2 coins in Brisbane today.
During a special announcement ahead of Saturday's first Wallabies Test against the British and Irish Lions, the Mint unveiled the artwork of its striking new coins at Rebel's dedicated Lions Tour pop-up store at Queen Street Mall.
For a limited time, Australians right across the country can receive the specially minted coloured coins in their change when paying with cash at participating Rebel stores.
A premium two-coin collector set is also available for purchase, allowing fans to celebrate the occasion in style.
As the most anticipated clash in international rugby union, the release marks the 10th tour of the British and Irish Lions to Australia, continuing a rivalry that began with the Wallabies' first international match in 1899 in Australia.
The coins also honour the achievements of the Wallaroos, who are preparing to compete in the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England starting next month.
As an organisation that strives to make sport accessible to all Australians, Rebel General Manager of Retail, Meg Zelewski said a project of this scale in collaboration with Rugby Australia and the Royal Australian Mint was an exciting first.
"We know the level of excitement that the British and Irish Lions Tour creates for rugby union fans across the country," Zelewski said.
"While we have a broad range of supporter gear stocked on our shop floors for all of the participating teams, this is a chance for fans to get their hands on a very unique piece of memorabilia for both our Wallabies and Wallaroos."
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said that with the Lions only visiting every 12 years, and the Women's Rugby World Cup being held every four years, these tournaments were rare and fiercely competitive fixtures on the international rugby calendar.
"The coins are a fantastic symbolisation of two key events for both the Wallabies and Wallaroos in 2025 and the designs are a true collector's item," Waugh said.
"It's a significant year for Rugby in Australia and these coins honour each team as they compete in pinnacle events at the highest level on the global stage.
"We'd like to thank the Royal Australian Mint and Rebel Sport for the collaboration and encourage the public to keep an eye out for a coin at their local Rebel Sport store."
Royal Australian Mint acting Chief Executive Officer, Emily Martin, said the coin program encouraged shoppers, rugby and sports fans and coin collectors to find the $2 coloured Wallabies and the $2 coloured Wallaroos coins in their change when they paid with cash at their local Rebel store.
"This coin release is a nod to 150 years of Rugby Union history with the Wallabies Test series against the British and Irish Lions, and an exciting lead-up to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup," Martin said.
"Whether you're a die-hard rugby supporter or a collector, this is your chance to own a piece of sporting history."Designed by the Mint's Adam Ball, these coins feature the team's official logo and colours, with a stadium beneath and two athletes captured mid-play above.
The obverse features the effigy of King Charles III, designed by Daniel Thorne.
The $2 two-coin set encourages the public, sports fans and coin collectors to get into their local Rebel store to purchase it.
With a slightly different design, the two till coins will be exclusively found in your change at rebel across the country when you pay with cash.
The two-coin set is also available to purchase through rebel online and through the Mint's call centre, shop and eShop.With a retail price of $17.99, the two-coin set is available from 8.30am on Thursday, 17 July.
Whether tucked in pockets, displayed on shelves, or proudly sitting alongside jerseys and scarves, these coins capture the fierce rivalry, the raw passion and the undying spirit of rugby fans across the country.
The products are available from 17 July through:
- Participating Rebel stores nationally
- Rebel online at https://www.rebelsport.com.au/fangear/international-rugby-union/australia-wallabies
- The Mint Shop in Canberra
- The Mint Call Centre on 1300 652 020
- The Mint eShop at https://eshop.ramint.gov.au
