PETER Cosgrove has reflected upon 50 years of decimal currency at the launch of the new book by award-winning author Mr Peter Rees, “Inside the Vault: The history and art of Australian coinage”.

The Governor-General said that Mr Peter Rees had captured our nation’s rich coinage history, providing such a great historical record for all ages during this anniversary year.

“As we commemorate 50 years of decimal currency, it is important to recognise all who worked so hard to make this anniversary a reality. This book, Inside the Vault, is bursting with insights and stories about Australian coins and the characters behind them. I congratulate Peter on a read that brings our coins and their role in our nation’s development to life,” said the Governor-General.

The Assistant Minister to the Treasurer the Hon Alex Hawke MP said the book was the story of an important historic milestone and complimented the Royal Australian Mint for its commitment to the production of Inside the Vault in 2016, aligning its publication with the 50th anniversary of decimal currency celebrations.

“This history of modern Australian currency has never been told in such detail. Peter Rees has ensured that all of the key developments over more than 200 years are told to unify the story,” Alex said.

“The history and art of currency is fascinating, yet it has never before been captured in a detailed chronological story, making Inside the Vault such an enjoyable and worthwhile project.

Peter Rees said Inside the Vault tells not just the story of Australian currency, but also celebrates its unique role in the nation’s past.

“Through interviews with numismatists and wider research, including contact with national institutions, I was able to trace the symbolic journey that coins in Australia have taken.” said Peter.

“Inside the Vault follows Australia’s coinage story from the First Fleet, the Rum Rebellion, the role that a convicted forger played in developing Australia’s first dollar currency, the gold rushes, Federation, the story of the elusive 1930 penny, the opening of the Royal Australian Mint, and the behind-the scenes conflict in the move to decimal currency in the 1960s.”

“The book also tells us the story of recent circulating and collectible products in the Mint’s collection and looks at the future of coins.”

“Inside the Vault” is available for purchase for $59.99 via the Mint’s eShop eshop.ramint.gov.au

[Photo: Assistant Minister to the Treasurer the Hon Alex Hawke MP, Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove, His Excellency General the Hon Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Royal Australian Mint CEO Ross MacDiarmid examining the latest commemorative circulating coins]