Limited edition Bluey dollarbucks coins released for sale in Australia

Back by popular demand – Bluey fans can once again get their paws on some “for real life” dollarbucks.

The hit TV show has been immortalised* in a special 10-piece* collection of $1 coins, released by the Royal Australian Mint* and Australia Post.

On sale from Monday, the limited-edition* coins were designed by the Bluey team at Ludo Studios in Queensland and feature 10 different illustrations of Australia’s favourite blue heeler, her sister Bingo, their family and friends.

“We do expect these to sell out fast,” Australia Post executive general manager retail Josh Bannister said.

“There’s 10 limited-edition dollarbuck coins available.”

The $1 coins are being sold at Australia Post as single coins for $10 each, or as a whole set of 10 with a collector’s folder for $29.

There’s even a rare coloured coin which will only appear in one in 10 of the full sets.

A Bluey stamp collection will also be available to buy, as well as special proof versions* of the coloured design on silver and aluminium bronze. Proof coins are considered the highest quality of coin made by the Royal Mint and are worth more than ordinary coins. The bronze Bluey coin is being sold for $50 and the silver one costs $99.

There is also the chance to get some Bluey and Bingo designs back as change, if you buy things with cash at participating* Australia Post Offices.

The coins took a year to make in partnership with BBC Studios.

They made headlines in June when a 500kg pallet* carrying 63,000 of the new coins — worth $600,000 — was stolen from a storage facility in Sydney’s west.

Two men were arrested and will appear in court next month.

Antiques and collectables expert Rick Milne said with Bluey being “red hot” right now, these new coins could become very valuable over the next 10 years.

“Bluey has become a worldwide phenomenon*,” he said.

In June, a three-coin Bluey set released by the Royal Australian Mint quickly sold out.

On eBay, the three-coin set has been advertised for $386.50, while another seller sold at auction for $267.

Mr Milne said some collector items, like sports memorabilia*, were only valuable for a short amount of time.

But since Bluey was so popular across the world, he said the coins could stay valuable for a long time – but only if the coins were kept in their original packaging.

“Coins only have value in their original packaging. The coins as loose change, they are not worth anything more than their face value*,” he said.

Mr Milne said he knew a man who bought two copies of the first ever LEGO kit that was released in Australia — one to keep and one to build.

He said the man was offered $1 million for the unopened version, far more than the kit that had been used.

The Bluey coins will be available from September 2 until September 29, or while stocks last instore and online.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• immortalised: made famous forever
• 10-piece: made up of 10 different coins
• The Royal Australian Mint: run by the Government, the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra is responsible for making the country’s coins
• limited-edition: something that can be purchased for a short period of time as a special offer
• participating: the Australia Post outlets that are taking part in the Bluey Dollarbucks sale
• pallet: a flat wooden structure that boxes are stacked on and wrapped in plastic for transportation to shops
• phenomenon: a remarkable thing
• sports memorabilia: collectable items related to sport, such as a cricket ball signed by a famous cricket player
• face value: what the coin would normally be worth if it wasn’t collectable, based on the number written on it, for example, an ordinary $1 coin would be worth $1
• proof versions: high quality versions of a coin made with extra care in order to made the image sharper and the coin look better than a standard coin. Proof coins are worth more because of the extra work that goes into making them and are often preferred by collectors

EXTRA READING
Bluey $1 coins go gangbusters
Bluey for Brisbane Games mascot?
Australians love ‘true blue’ homemade TV

QUICK QUIZ
1. How many different designs are in the Bluey Dollarbucks set?
2. Why is the coloured design considered rare?
3. How much are single $1 coins being sold for?
4. What do you need to do to make sure the coins don’t lose their value over time?
5. Where can you buy the limited edition Bluey coins?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Bluey coins investment
A $1 Bluey coin costs $10 today or $29 for the set of 10, which is better value?

Looking at how collector coins increase in value, and how the previous Bluey coins have already greatly increased in value, what do you think a set of these 10 bluey coins in mint condition will be worth in 2034?

Estimate the amount and explain your reasoning.

Would you like to buy these collector coins? What would you do with them?

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Mathematics, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
If you’ve got an idea for a special coin, you can email the Royal Australian Mint with your idea and it could become reality if they like it.

The Royal Mint website explains how the process works: (https://www.ramint.gov.au)

“We love hearing your ideas for coin releases! To submit your theme for a future uncirculated coin release, send an email to hello@ramint.gov.au

“Remember, developing a coin can take up to two years, so a good theme is usually one that stands the test of time. If your theme is chosen, proposed designs are submitted to the responsible Minister under the Currency Act 1965 for approval.

“The Minister then (hopefully) approves the face value, issue price, design, shape, dimensions, weight and composition of the proposed coin. Approved designs are lodged on the Federal Register of Legislation and then get tabled in federal parliament!”

Sketch an idea for a coin you think might meet this criteria below.

Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Visual Arts, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
I spy nouns
Nouns are places, names (of people and objects), and time (months or days of the week).

How many nouns can you find in the article?

Can you sort them into places, names and time?

Pick three nouns and add an adjective (describing word) to the nouns.