Macquarie Mint continues to sell illegal Anzac coin
A Victorian souvenir coin maker has continued to unlawfully use the word ‘Anzac’ and the rising sun logo despite promising to stop.
On Friday morning, the website of Melbourne-based company Macquarie Mint prominently advertised a Gallipoli Landing-themed $10 silver coin.
“Macquarie Mint does not have permission to use the word Anzac for this purpose,” a Veterans Affairs spokesperson has confirmed.
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The company had reportedly agreed to stop using the protected insignia after the Department of Veterans Affairs threatened a $51,000 fine on 21 April.
The word ‘Anzac’ and the rising sun badge cannot be used without prior written approval from the department.
Marketing material spruiking the coin, which claims to be legal tender on the Pacific island of Kiribati, has been sent to thousands of homes.
A further investigation has been launched, Veterans Affairs said.
The mint did not respond to a request from The New Daily for comment.
The illegal promotion came on the heels of outrage over supermarket chain Woolworths’ use of the Anzac legend in their marketing, which combined a marketing phrase with a reference to World War I.
The “Fresh in our memories” promotion was live for only a few hours before a storm of derision forced its removal.
-with AAP.
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