Royal Australian Mint to release commemorative $1 and 20-cent coins to mark 90 years of the ABC.

Extract from ABC News

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By Chantelle Al-Khouri

Posted 31 minutes ago

The design features many ABC favourites, and parts of life that the broadcaster covers.(Supplied: Royal Australian Mint)

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A coin-sized family portrait of the ABC will be released to commemorate 90 years of the national broadcaster.

Key points:

• The two coins mark the ABC's 90 years of broadcasting
• Their design captures many favourite shows and characters, and aspects of society that the ABC has covered
• From Thursday, the Royal Australian Mint will begin selling the coins

The Royal Australian Mint has designed and produced two collectibles — a $1 and a 20-cent coin — that feature ABC programs, characters and icons dating back to 1932, when the organisation was formed.

These coins feature ABC favourites, including Rage — Australia's longest-running TV music show that is still in production — and beloved characters such as Play School's Jemima and Humpty, who have been on screen since 1966, before the advent of colour TV in this country.

There are also tributes to programs such as Four Corners, which has been broadcast for more than 60 years.

The mint's chief executive, Leigh Gordon, said the coins represented the ABC's special and far-reaching connection with Australians over the past 90 years.

"The ABC is known as the home of Australian conversations, culture and stories," Mr Gordon said.

"It's very special for us at the mint to be able to recognise the contribution of the ABC to the stories of Australia through [these coins]."

The ABC began as a radio service in 1932, added television in 1956 and now offers digital content, too.

The coins — which will be on sale from Thursday — also contain nods to the many parts of Australian society that the ABC has covered, including football, farm life, the Olympics, science, elections and natural disasters.

ABC managing director David Anderson said the designs had captured the ABC's evolving spirit.

"The ABC has played a big part in so many people's lives over the past 90 years and continues to do so today," Mr Anderson said.

"These two coins are wonderful collectors' items and provide the perfect bookend to our 90th celebrations."

As the coins are collectibles, they will not be released as currency. However, they are legal tender.

The mint has produced 5,000 of the $1 coins and 30,000 of the 20-cent coins.