Over60
Money & Banking

Why this rare $1 Aussie coin could have you pocketing thousands

One minor mistake to a $1 coin could be worth thousands of dollars.

The Royal Australian Mint made an error when making the “Mule Dollar” coins meaning small amount of $1 coins from the year 2000 were designed using the wrong print.

The Mule dollar has a double rim around the edge while a standard regular $1 coin has just one. 

A Melbourne mum excitedly revealed the fun find on social media.

“We found the famous MULE Dollar” she wrote in a post on Instagram, under the username @melbournewithkidz. 

“Royal Australian Mint accidentally minted the coins using the smaller 10 cent obverse die (head side) by mistake.”

How to spot a real Mule Dollar

Mule dollars have a unique look and design, including its year make which can only be 2000.

For the rare coin to be legitimate it must also have a clear double rim around most or all of the heads side of the coin, about 0.5mm wide, according to Australian Coins.

“With just a 1.4mm difference in diameter between the 10 cent and $1 coin you can clearly see a double rim circle going around the edges of the coin.”

She said the coins are worth anywhere from $500 to $3000. 

One commenter left a handy tip to anyone who might find themselves in luck with a real mule dollar, and urged people NOT to wash the coin as it can result in its value decreasing dramatically.

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mule dollar, dollar coin, coin, dollar, money, Money & Banking