Royal Australian Mint

05/17/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/16/2023 21:10

‘100 mitey years’: Woolworths and the Royal Australian Mint release limited edition coins to celebrate VEGEMITE’s centenary

Woolworths and the Royal Australian Mint are celebrating 100 years of VEGEMITE with the release of a limited edition range of $2 coins.

Starting today, three exclusive and limited edition $2 coins will be available to collect from Woolworths supermarkets. One design will be released each week into the cash tills across a three week period and there's three million of these $2 coins available for customers to collect across Australia.

Designed by Royal Australian Mint coin designer Aaron Baggio, each coin in the series features a unique illustration celebrating the VEGEMITE centenary. A coloured circle in the VEGEMITE brand colours of yellow, red and black encompasses each illustration, accompanied by a different VEGEMITE tagline.

The first coin features a jar of VEGEMITE as its focal point, with the words "100 Mitey Years" at the bottom. The second coin features a slice of VEGEMITE toast, with the words "Tastes like Australia". The third coin features a child eating a slice of VEGEMITE on toast, with the words "Happy Little Vegemites".

Woolworths Group Chief Marketing Officer, Andrew Hicks, said: "We're excited to join the celebrations for VEGEMITE's centenary, a classic spread that's stood on our shelves for many decades.

"Whether it's on toast, in a cake or with a biscuit, we can't wait to see where VEGEMITE goes next, and the unique designs crafted by the Royal Australian Mint are a fun celebration of a 'mitey' brand that everyone can enjoy."

The 2023 Centenary of VEGEMITE $2 Coins will also feature the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Obverse. The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by British engraver Jody Clark, the Memorial Obverse also includes the Queen's years of reign - reading "Elizabeth II 1952-2022".

Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Andrew Leigh, said: "VEGEMITE is one of Australia's most recognisable and loved brands. It is fitting that the Royal Australian Mint has partnered with VEGEMITE and Woolworths to celebrate 100 Mitey years of an Australian icon."

Bega Marketing Manager for Spreads, Jess Hoare, said: "Australia is this year celebrating 100 mitey years of VEGEMITE, as VEGEMITE will be turning 100 years young on October 25th. We thank each and every person who invites VEGEMITE into their homes - whether it's on their morning toast, within their trusty spaghetti Bolognese - or through today's limited-edition range of $2 VEGEMITE coins."

The release of the VEGEMITE coins follows previous coin collections between Woolworths and the Royal Australian Mint including Socceroos, 2022 Australian Commonwealth Games Team, The Wiggles, 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, Possum Magic, 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games and more.