September 13, 2012 – The refined art of ballet has been captured forever through the exquisite art of coin design thanks to the release of two collectible coins to mark the 50th anniversary of The Australian Ballet.
The Australian Ballet Coin in silver.
The Royal Australian Mint has partnered with The Australian Ballet in its latest commemorative coin release which brings the art of ballet to coin form in a highly detailed design developed by Mint coin designer Aaron Baggio. The design was inspired by an image by photographer Liz Ham of Olivia Bell and Adam Bull, principal artists of The Australian Ballet.
“Over the past 50 years, The Australian Ballet has left an indelible mark on Australia’s cultural history and has some fascinating stories to tell,” said Mr Ross MacDiarmid, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Australian Mint.
“The Mint plays an important role as caretaker of Australia’s cultural history, and hopes that in commemorating this anniversary on these coins, they will serve as a medium for those stories,” Mr MacDiarmid said.
The brilliance and unmistakeably Australian style that typifies The Australian Ballet are immediately recognisable in the coin’s design, and ballet enthusiasts looking for a way to join in celebrating this fantastic cultural milestone will be glad to find that the design is available on both a silver and cupronickel coin.
“It’s a real thrill for our anniversary to be commemorated in such a special and long-lasting way; its recognition of the importance of an art form that has a long, proud and rich history in Australia,” said Mr David McAllister, Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet.
“We hope lots of children around Australia who dance each week will be excited to collect their very own piece of The Australian Ballet!,” Mr McAllister said.
For more information on the ballet coin, please visit the website of The Royal Australian Mint.
Take also a look at the website of The Australian Ballet.
If you want to learn what it is like to be part of the Australian Ballet, you definitely must not miss the ten episode series produced by The Australian Ballet and available on YouTube “A year inside The Australian Ballet”.