Australia's Perth Mint has created a limited-edition coin featuring rare pink Argyle diamonds and valued at A$2.48m (£1.4m).
The coin, dubbed The Discovery, is made of 24-carat gold, weights 2kg and depicts “a sailing ship and a prospector to signify the diamond-rich Kimberley region in the north” of the country, according to The Times. A removable middle section shows a map of Australia.
It is the most valuable coin ever made in Australia and will be sold to the highest bidder, the newspaper reports.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Modelled after the Holey Dollar, one of Australia’s first coins, the expensive trinket was created “in response to the distinct increase in demand for exclusive luxury items”, said Perth Mint chief executive Richard Hayes.
“Gold and diamonds are amongst our most prized possessions,” Hayes added. “Individually, they express an allure and elegance that is simply undeniable, but when combined these two treasures of the past become our legacy for the future.
“Celebrating the destiny and pursuit of fortune embodied in the passion of our early prospectors, Discovery tells the remarkable Australian story of rags to riches.”
The coin will be displayed at The Perth Mint, in the west of the country, until 28 September, unless a buyer snaps it up in the meantime, reports Sydney-based site news.com.au.
-
Political cartoons for October 26Cartoons Sunday’s editorial cartoons include Young Republicans group chat, Louvre robbery, and more
-
Why Britain is struggling to stop the ransomware cyberattacksThe Explainer New business models have greatly lowered barriers to entry for criminal hackers
-
Greene’s rebellion: a Maga hardliner turns against TrumpIn the Spotlight The Georgia congresswoman’s independent streak has ‘not gone unnoticed’ by the president
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
