Big coin rolls in for big time at Diggers and Dealers

THE CONFERENCE CALLER: Money, they say, burns a hole in your pocket, but should you have a pocket big enough for this coin you should be able to set the world on fire.

Tipping its hat in salute to the 25th anniversary of Diggers and Dealers, The Perth Mint brought along its biggest trinket in the shape of the world’s largest and most valuable coin ever made.

The Australian Kangaroo One Tonne Gold Coin was transported up to Kalgoorlie, under much security, for the inaugural day of the annual mining gabfest.

The coin is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records and is making its first appearance in the outback city, from which most of the gold of its making was originally sourced.
 
Tipping the scales at one tonne of 99.99% pure gold, measuring 80cm wide and 13cm deep, and valued in excess of $60million, the colossal coin was created as the pinnacle of the nation’s gold bullion coin program, and used to promote Australian gold internationally.

“With a passion for gold, and an advocate of the industry, The Perth Mint is proud to showcase the One Tonne Coin at Diggers and Dealers during its 25th anniversary year,” Perth Mint chief executive officer Richard Hayes said.

Hayes also assured The Roadhouse that the coin was in fact made of gold and not chocolate, which would be our preference.

Diggers and Dealers chief Nick Giorgetta was pretty pleased to greet the big coin to the conference.

“The Perth Mint has made an invaluable contribution to the Australian gold industry for more than a century, and it has shown its support of Diggers and Dealers since our inception 25 years ago,” he said.
 
“We are delighted to host such a sizable treasure at this year’s conference, as it demonstrates to the industry, and to the world, how remarkable achievements such as this can heighten the promotion of gold on the world stage.”