Moon landing coins launched in Australia

The Royal Australian Mint has released a three-coin collectable series to celebrate 50 years since the Apollo 11 Moon landing.

The Royal Australian Mint coin to commemorate the moon landing

The mint has released three coins to celebrate 50 years since Apollo 11 landed on the moon. (AAP)

It's been almost 50 years since Apollo 11 landed on the moon and domed-shaped coins are being released in Australia to mark the giant leap for mankind.

The Royal Australian Mint announced the three-coin collectable series on Wednesday to celebrate five decades since the historic lunar landing in July 1969.

The world's first dome-shaped coloured nickel plated coin, a domed gold coin and a coloured silver domed coin are part of the collection made with the United States Mint.

Royal Australian Mint chief executive Ross MacDiarmid said the coins celebrated a triumph of science and human endeavour across the world.

"We are honoured to share these unique coloured domed coins, including the magnificent collaborative set with the United States Mint, to mark 50 years since Australia shared the first human perspective of the Moon's surface with the world," he said.

One side of the coin depicts the CSIRO Parkes radio telescope pointed towards the moon as it received signals of the Apollo 11 lunar landing.

Words from Commander Neil Armstrong's journal of the historic event have also been included on the same side with the image of Queen Elizabeth II on the design.

The reverse side shows one of the Apollo 11 astronauts standing on the surface of the Moon, with the lunar module Eagle in the background.

The Earth stands out in colour and Australia can be seen facing the moon with the journey of the Apollo 11 crew traced in the sky.

Former Parkes radio telescope site electrician and driver Ben Lam said the coins recognised their contribution to sharing the landing to 600 million people globally.

The 50th Anniversary of the Lunar Landing - 2019 $100 gold proof domed coin is worth $2795, the $5.50 coin costs $195 and the $5 domed coin sells for $150.

For those with less coin to spend, there is a six-coin uncirculated set for $25.


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Source: AAP


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