MOUNT Gambier residents will have an opportunity to mint their way to mischief next week when the Royal Australian Mint’s 2018 Rascals and Ratbags Roadshow visits the Blue Lake city.
The national tour marks 150 years since the last convict ship arrived in Australia and will land in Mount Gambier on Tuesday.
The Mobile Mint Team will set up a pop-up shop in the Cave Gardens next to the Old Town Hall where the public can strike a map of Australia “counterstamp” on their own Rascals and Ratbags $1 coin.
The Rascals and Ratbags 2018 $1 Australia Counterstamp Uncirculated Coin is exclusive to the roadshow.
Its reverse features a depiction of a tree with a canopy representing Australia.
The convict symbols of the broad arrow and chains are at its roots.
The packaging features an illustration and story of convict John Boyle O’Reilly, who became a well-loved journalist, editor and writer.
During the roadshow’s visit, there will also be an opportunity to swap coins or cash for freshly minted standard and special circulating coins and browse new products from the mint.
