2019 $2 Bringing Them Home – Repatriation Uncirculated Coin In Card ‘C’ Mintmark

In 1919 the Australian government established the Repatriation Department, to oversee the vital task of bringing home to Australia tens of thousands of soldiers and nurses after the First World War. A century later, crucial support is still provided to Australian servicemen and women through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. This special 2019 $2 Uncirculated coloured coin featuring a ‘C’ Mintmark commemorates a century of repatriation in Australia.

“The coin is an enduring acknowledgement of vital efforts to provide support to Australian service people, while at the same time commemorating a century of service” said Royal Australian Mint CEO, Ross MacDiarmid.

The centre of the coin depicts a graphic element taken from the First World War ‘Returned from Active Service’ badge. The First World War ‘Returned from Active Service’ badges were issued to returning Australian soldiers between 1914 to 1919; the badge depicts the St Edward’s Crown with the rising sun. Below is a scroll with the text ‘AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES’. Symbolically, the inclusion of this badge represents the commencement of the Repatriation.

The badge featured on the coin is framed by a circular colour print depicting black arrows and red and black petal motifs. The arrows, inspired by the iconic Rising Sun, represent the journey home of Australian service personnel over the last 100 years. The petals represent the Flanders Field poppy, an iconic symbol of remembrance, with each petal symbolising the six states and two territories of Australia.

*Stock images courtesy of the Royal Australian Mint.