Australian Football Association of North America

by Johnson Leung, reporting for AFANA from Melbourne

To celebrate 150 years of Australian Football, Australia's Perth Mint has released a 1oz pure silver coin and a bronze uncirculated $1 coin. The bronze coin is also available as a stamp and coin cover, featuring a commemorative 50c stamp from Australia Post.

Both coins portray an exciting image of a high marking contest and incorporates the AFL's official Australian Football 150 Years logo, which is highlighted in color on the silver coin.

The limited edition 1oz silver coin (consisting of 99.9% pure silver and only 12,500 minted) comes in a gold-colored presentation display case with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity, while the bronze $1 coin comes in a sleeved presentation folder. Both the display case and folder describe the origins of Australian football in 1858 under Tom Wills and its rapid spread across the continent.

The stamp and coin cover has the $1 bronze coin inserted in a souvenir envelope portraying the historical image 'Football in the Colonies', which was published in 1874 in The Illustrated Sydney News & New South Wales Agriculturist and Grazier. The envelope includes a commemorative 50c Australia Post stamp canceled with a Loch Sport VIC 3851 special postmark dated 29 July 2008.

AFL Chief Broadcasting and Commercial officer Gillon McLachlan said that the coins were aimed at those involved in the game at all levels - from the grass roots in the country and suburbs through to supporters and staff at professional AFL clubs.

"Beautifully crafted by The Perth Mint, these AFL-licensed coins present the opportunity to mark the game's milestone year with mementos that collectors will be proud to own and hand down to subsequent generations of Australian football fans," he said.

The silver coin sells for A$95 and the bronze coin for A$13.50. The coin and stamp cover cost A$14.95. All prices exclude postage and delivery. The merchandise is available from the Perth Mint web site

Sources: Perth Mint, 150years.com.au