The Mint’s production of two AC/DC coins adds legal tender status to the band’s list of accolades. Photo: Supplied by the Royal Australia Mint.
High voltage coins have been thunderstruck by the Royal Australian Mint to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Australian rock royalty.
New AC/DC coins have been created in the spirit of the band’s hit single Thunderstruck, and some of them have actually been struck by 3,500,000 volts of man-made lightning.
The experiment was conducted in the Caged Lightning exhibition at Questacon, which produces lightning using a Tesla coil. Ten AC/DC 50 cent pieces, appropriately featuring the famous high voltage logos and design elements from AC/DC albums, were ‘thunderstruck’ with 3,500,000 volts of lightning.
Royal Australian Mint CEO Ross MacDiarmid said the iconic band deserved high voltage coins and an electrifying launch to match their famous electrifying energy.
“AC/DC is famous for their electrifying energy. It’s in their music, the titles of some of their songs, even their insignia,” Mr MacDiarmid said.
“We weren’t sure what effect the lightning would have on the coins, but we discovered that because the coins are such excellent conductors of electricity, the lightning’s mark is only visible under magnification.”
Ten of the 30,000 coins were ‘thunderstruck’ and will be randomly sent to 10 customers who order their AC/DC – 45 Years of Thunder Uncirculated Coin through the Mint’s online store or Contact Centre.
Along with the new 50 cent coin available, a black, nickel-plated five dollar coin is also available for fans of the band or collectors alike which has been made in a triangular shape in order to resemble a guitar pick. The design elements have also been drawn from AC/DC’s album artwork and the amp-inspired packaging includes an actual guitar pick.
“Striking these ten coins with lightning adds a uniquely AC/DC element to this release,” Mr MacDiarmid said. “To help the ten lucky customers identify their ‘thunderstruck’ coins, we have added unique frosting to the coin’s AC/DC logo.”
The new coins are both officially licensed AC/DC merchandise and are available now from the Mint’s online store or by phoning the Contact Centre on 1300 652 020.
The Mint’s production of two AC/DC coins adds legal tender status to the band’s list of accolades.
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