Australians Queue for Hours as Poppy Coins Honor WWII Heroes
Every year around Remembrance Day, Australians find unique and heartfelt ways to pay tribute to those who served in the past. This year, it was no different — but the excitement took an unexpected turn toward the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra, where hundreds of collectors lined up for a very special reason: the release of new colored poppy coins marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The crowd began forming long before sunrise. By Thursday morning, the line stretched from the Mint’s doors all the way out to the car park and down the street. People had come from all over, some even camping overnight to make sure they didn’t miss out. The first person in line, a man named Manny Cachia from Bombala, arrived just before 11 a.m. on Wednesday — a full 24 hours before the shop opened. His friend and co-worker, Casey Skelton, joined him shortly after, and together they set up what could only be described as a full-on campsite.
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These two weren’t just casual buyers; they were serious collectors. Manny had even brought an air fryer and electric blanket to survive the chilly night. Casey handled the oven setup, and between them, they made sure there were hot sausages and potatoes for dinner. They weren’t just buying coins — they were preserving a piece of history. Manny described the new design as “one of the best-looking poppy coins they’ve ever released,” and he wasn’t alone in thinking that.
By 7 a.m. Thursday, roughly 500 people were waiting, and that number kept growing. Some had chairs and books; others simply stood with coffee in hand, ready to grab their piece of Remembrance history. The $2 coins, released in both a colored fine silver proof version priced at $90 and an uncirculated version for $22.50, were sold under strict limits to ensure fairness — one of the premium versions and three of the uncirculated per person.
Among the crowd was another collector, Ken Beltrami from Queanbeyan, who arrived at 2:20 p.m. the day before. His goal wasn’t to sell but to keep the coins as part of a lifelong passion — something to help fund his retirement one day. Even a man who flew in from Brisbane, with nothing but a bag from Woolies, joined the queue, inspired by memories of his mother’s old coin collection.
The Mint’s new poppy coin isn’t just another collector’s item; it’s a powerful reminder of sacrifice and resilience — symbols of remembrance that can even show up in everyday change starting this week. Whether tucked away in a display case or found jingling in someone’s pocket, these small coins carry a big message: Australia still remembers.
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