Australia Commemorative 2 dollar coins in circulation

In 2012, Australia released it's first $2 color coin as well as its first commemorative coin for general circulation. This has been proven to be very popular and got vacuumed from circulation quite quickly. In 2016, Woolworths (a large supermarket chain) has partnered with the Royal Australian Mint to exclusively distribute special colored $2 coins. (Perhaps the Woolworths CEO is an avid coin collector? If so, props to him / her!)

This however did not go down with the Royal Canadian Mint. The RCM issued its first colored quarter as far back in 2004. As a result, the RCM threatened the Royal Australian Mint with lawsuit and demanded the coins to be destroyed in early 2018 after 6 years (!) of circulation. Thankfully this was resolved in Sep 2018 with the two world's greatest mint agreeing to collaborate.

Mintage in general is around the 2 million mark and are somewhat difficult to find in general circulation. Some of the earlier issued coins are often sold higher than face value.

Below is a collection of coins pulled from circulation. Pictures can be clicked for larger images.

Without further ado, let's check some pictures!

2012 (2)
2013 (1)
2014 (1)
2015 (2)
2016 (7)
2017 (5)
2018 (5)
2019 (7)
2020 (2)

Total to date: 32

2012

Remembrance Day - Plain Poppy	Remembrance Day - Red Poppy
Mintage: 5.8 million	Mintage: 0.5 million

Due to the large surface area of the colored area, this can be found chipped.

The Red Poppy coin is debated whether it was meant to be for circulation or NCLT. This coin shown is an example pulled from circulation. The original intention as far as I am aware is that the Red Poppy coin is meant to be in a RSL card / package for fundraising purposes for war veterans. Perhaps excess coins were released for circulation, however were removed from circulation very quickly by the general public. As of writing Sep 20, a circulated example even with chipped paint goes for $80 - 100 easily. UNC would go for almost double.

2013

Coronation Jubilee

Mintage: 1.0 million

This low mintage meant that these were removed from circulation quite quickly. The last example found in circulation was back in 2018. As of writing Sep 20, an average circulation example goes for $20 - 30.

2014

Remembrance day - Peace Dove

Mintage: 1.85 million

This particular coin is well known for die grease error

2015

Remembrance Day - In Flanders Fields	Lest We Forget - War Graves
Mintage: 2.15 million	Mintage: 1.46 million

2016

Australian Olympic Team

Black	Blue	Green
Mintage: 2.0 million	Mintage: 2.0 million	Mintage: 2.0 million

Red	Yellow	Paraolympics
Mintage: 2.0 million	Mintage: 2.0 million	Mintage: 2.0 million