The Royal Australian Mint has released a new collectable $1 coin inspired by Bluey, the Australian children’s animated series. The coin depicts Rusty, one of Bluey’s friends, hitting a cricket ball while Bluey cheers in the background.
The design references “Cricket”, an episode from the show’s third season in which Rusty plays the sport while his father is away on military deployment. The episode includes a letter from Rusty’s father encouraging him to face difficult moments rather than avoid them, and reminding him to care for his younger sister.
Mint chief executive Emily Martin said the coin combined cricket with the series’ themes of friendship, teamwork and shared memories. The release reflects the popularity of both the sport and Bluey, which is watched by families internationally, according to the supplied source material.
The coin is intended for collectors rather than everyday use, and 200,000 will be minted. It will not be placed into general circulation as cash.
The release is not the Mint’s first Bluey-themed issue. Two years ago, it produced three colourful 2024 Bluey Dollarbucks depicting Bluey alone, the Heeler family together, and Bluey and Bingo dressed as the Grannies.
The Mint said the earlier releases were also part of efforts to encourage younger people to take an interest in coin collecting. The latest design extends that series by focusing on Rusty and the cricket episode, one of the programme’s stories centred on sport, family and perseverance.