Countdown is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a coin, with the Australian Mint releasing a 50c Coloured Uncirculated Coin to commemorate the anniversary. King Charles is on the reverse.
Fans who found out about the coin were able to put their details down for a ballot that closed this morning.
However, if you didn’t get lucky in the ballot and can get to Canberra, the coin is available today at The Royal Australian Mint Coin Shop in Denison, Deakin, ACT. If you’d like to check on stock, you can call the Mint Contact Centre on 1300 652 020. The coin will also be sold by participating authorised sellers.
In a statement, the Royal Australian Mint CEO Leigh Gordon said of the anniversary piece (per TV Tonight), “The influence Countdown had on the Australian music industry at the time was significant.”
Elaborating on that proclamation, Gordon reminds us that Aussies tuned in to Countdown every Sunday to discover new music as songs became hits, thanks to the program.
“One appearance could create overnight rock gods and pop divas, in effect generating the biggest break an Australian music act could hope for,” Gordon continued.
“It would be remiss of the Mint not to celebrate this iconic Australian program with a coin as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.”
Molly Meldrum, the key figure of Countdown, said he has “such fond memories” of the Countdown era and that the series will never be forgotten.
“We made a difference to the music industry in Australia, so I am thrilled to see a commemorative coin being made,” Meldrum said. “Do yourself a favour and get one. Iconic Countdown lives on.”
Gavin Wood, the Voice of Countdown, declared that Countdown was “the most important show in Australian music history.”
“Three million people weekly can’t be wrong,” Wood added. “It was an amazing experience to be a part of such an iconic show.”
Take a look at the coin below.
In September 2018, Molly Meldrum was honoured with a statue in Melbourne, while a music wall celebrating Australian live music and Meldrum’s contribution to the industry was also showcased.
Addressing the passionate crowd, Meldrum joked, “I’m lying in bed, and I’m thinking, how can I get out of this one?”
The beloved Countdown host added that he would only accept the honour if he could have his beloved pet dog Ziggy “in my arms when I do this.”
