The Perth Mint is proud to launch the historic Australian Posters of World War I collector series. Used to invigorate enlistment, the first coin features the ‘A Call from the Dardanelles’ poster, which employed the theme of Australians fighting at Gallipoli.

The reverse of this rectangular coin features a coloured representation of the 1914 ‘A Call from the Dardanelles’ poster, headed by the inscription AUSTRALIAN ENLISTMENT. The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark, and the coin’s weight and fineness also appear in the design.

Issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2014 year-date, and the monetary denomination are depicted on the coin’s obverse.

The coin is housed in a unique, contemporary, latex case which displays both sides of the coin. The case is packaged within a beautifully illustrated shipper, and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

In 1914, despite having recently achieved Federation and an independent government, Australians saw themselves as Britons at the outset of World War I.  As news of the war broke in London, Australia was committed to supporting Britain and her allies, and volunteering began for the Australian Imperial Force.

As time passed, the long lists of Australian casualties increased, and the grim reality of war set in.  Enthusiasm for the war began to fade.  By 1916, the Australian Imperial Force faced a shortage of men and the spectre of conscription was raised.  Referendums were held in 1916 and 1917, both were defeated after furious community debate.

A series of propaganda posters were used to invigorate enlistment.  One such example was the ‘A Call from the Dardanelles’ poster which employed the theme of Australians fighting at Gallipoli.  The poster featured a World War I digger in a slouch hat astride the Dardanelles, one foot on the Gallipoli Peninsula and the other on Asia Minor, calling out the Australian bush cry of ‘coo-ee’.

Forthcoming releases: Australian Red Cross (2015), Australian War Bonds (2016), Australian Home Front (2017) and Australian Peace Bonds (2018).