Australia's Royal Australian Mint is turning its famous colorful currency into a tribute for the athletes heading to Milan this winter. Two new limited-edition $1 coins, each featuring hand-painted designs inspired by specific competitors, will honor the 53 winter athletes and 15 paralympians representing the country at the 2026 Games.
One coin captures a para alpine skier mid-descent, with splashing snow and sculpted snowflakes suggesting speed and determination. The other shows a freestyle skier in mid-air, surrounded by the Olympic branding. Each design was struck first, then painted with UV ink by hand — a process the Mint perfected when it created a vibrant blue, pink, and yellow cricket coin for the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup.
"Each coin beautifully captures the passion and resilience of both Australian teams," Emily Martin, CEO of the Royal Australian Mint, said of the designs. The coins aren't meant for everyday spending. Instead, the Mint produced 25,000 of each and is selling them directly to collectors for $20 apiece. Some have already appeared on eBay for over $150, suggesting the demand is real.
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Start Your News DetoxThe athletes being honored include reigning moguls champion Jakara Anthony and snowboarder Matt Graham, a four-time Olympian who will carry the flag at the opening ceremony on February 6. On the paralympian side, para-snowboarder Amanda Reid and para-alpine skier Michael Milton — both multiple gold medalists — will represent Australia when the Winter Paralympics begin on March 6.
These coins sit at an interesting intersection: part practical currency design, part collectible art, part national pride. They're a small gesture, but one that acknowledges the specific athletes doing the work — not just the abstract idea of competition.
