2019 Eight Coin Collection - Centenary of the England to Australia Air Race

In 1919 the Australian Government announced a £10,000 prize for the first Australians to fly from England to Australia in less than 30 days, in a British-built plane. The competition promoted Australian aviation after the First World War.

Six Australian and one French crew took up the challenge, flying timber and fabric planes. Critics protested that the race could become deadly. Tragically, two crews lost their lives. Two more crashed out of the race. Along the route, the brave crews faced dramatic dangers including volcanoes, storms, equipment failures and unfriendly locals.

The winning achievement by the Vickers Vimy team, led by Sir Ross Smith, was considered a remarkable achievement for the time and the greatest conquest over the air.

In 1919, six Australian air crews took to the skies in the world’s most dramatic air ace to date, racing to be the first to fly from England to Australia in 30 days. The excitement, drama and tragedy of the Great Air Race is commemorated in this set of eight stunning 2019 $1 uncirculated coins, packaged in a collectible tin.

* Each coin design features a beautifully sculpted plane plus the names of the crew members who participated in the race.

* Coins come mounted on informative cards and packed into a collectible tin

* Coin’s obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley

* Australian legal tender