The one dollar coin denomination (written as $1) was introduced in Australia in 1984, replacing the earlier banknotes. The original definitive type featuring five kangaroos has not been changed since its introduction and is still issued regularly.
Apart from the regular design, the Royal Australian Mint issues a large variety of circulating commemorative one dollar coins which have the same specifications and circulate in parallel with the definitive type - such as this one.
This circulating commemorative dollar coin is part of the The Great Aussie Coin Hunt 3 campaign - the third series of 26 different $1 coins where each features a letter of the English alphabet and an Australian symbol starting with that letter. V is for Vanilla Slice: the coin for the letter V features the Australian desert known as Vanilla Slice.
The Australian vanilla slice has been described as a uniquely Australian food, but comparisons have been drawn to the mille-feuille, which may have originated in France. An annual competition for the best vanilla slice baker is the Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph. Judging criteria include "when tasted, should reveal a custard with a creamy smooth texture and a balance of vanilla taste with a crisp, crunchy pastry topped with a smooth and shiny glaze/fondant".
Coins issued in 2022 have now been in circulation for only one year. |