RAM: 50th Anniversary of The Rainbow Serpent Coloured Copper-Nickel 2025 Deluxe Special Edition Book

RAM: 50th Anniversary of The Rainbow Serpent Coloured CuNi 2025 Deluxe Special Edition Book is the fifth and final release in the “Australian Children’s Literature” series, issued by the Royal Australian Mint in collaboration with the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA). The coin commemorates the 50th anniversary of “The Rainbow Serpent” – an important Aboriginal Dreamtime story, written and illustrated by Dick Roughsey.

The “Australian Children’s Literature” program began in 2021 with the release of a coin dedicated to Graeme Base’s “Animalia”. In the following years, coins were issued for “Diary of a Wombat” (2022), “Edward the Emu” (2023), and “Where is the Green Sheep?” (2024). Published in association with the CBCA, the series coincides with the annual Book Week and promotes reading among young Australians.

The reverse features a coloured illustration by Dick Roughsey inspired by the Rainbow Serpent story, accompanied by the inscription “50th Anniversary of The Rainbow Serpent” and the face value. The obverse shows the effigy of King Charles III, surrounded by his name, the year of issue, and the face value.

The coin is struck from cupro-nickel, weighs 11.3 g, measures 28.52 mm in diameter, and has a total mintage of 25,000 coins, with only 5,000 presented in the Deluxe Special Edition Book – a hardcover, special edition copy of “The Rainbow Serpent”. This makes this version highly collectible and sought after.

Obverse: Portrait of King Charles III, surrounded by his name, year of issue, and face value.

Reverse: Coloured illustration by Dick Roughsey inspired by “The Rainbow Serpent”, accompanied by the inscription “50th Anniversary of The Rainbow Serpent” and the face value.