Over miles of drought stricken plains, through tunnels of raging bushfires, amid incessant rains and through raging waters of swollen rivers, Cobb & Co coaches were beacons of hope and messengers of civilisation during the pioneering days of Australia.
With the turn of the century, the stagecoach was pushed off the road by the motor buggy and airplane. Echoes of cracking whips and galloping horses were no more and the coaching days were over.
The Royal Australian Mint is tipping its hat to the final Cobb & Co coach run from Surat to Yuleba, 100 years ago on 14 August 1924, with the launch of a commemorative $1 coin.
Assistant Minister for Treasury Andrew Leigh, was at a former Cobb & Co resting stop in Bungendore to launch the coin today.
During the 19th Century, Bungendore was an important stop for stagecoaches travelling between Sydney and the Goldfields in the southern regions of NSW and Victoria. At the time, people also travelled from Bungendore to the Molonglo Plains, which was evolving into what today is known as Canberra.
"Premier transport company Cobb & Co became a true pioneer of Australian travel in a time when passage through the country was notoriously uncomfortable.
"The famous coach service left its mark from Victoria to tropical north Queensland. Its network of routes crisscrossed the eastern states of Australia, from North Queensland to Melbourne and across to Adelaide. It also ran coaches in Western Australia.
"But with industrialisation, large mail carrying companies became obsolete and the update of radio and telephone communications connected towns hundreds of miles apart. The coaching days were over.
"This coin is the Mint's classic story telling at its best," Mr Leigh said.
Owner of the Carrington Inn, Richard Graham, has extensively researched Cobb & Co and its impact on travel in hard-to-reach areas as Australia was opening up to travel.
"The Carrington Inn stands as an historical landmark that represents the transition from stagecoach to rail travel. Its comfortable accommodation, stables and blacksmith shop supported the coaching industry.
"The Carrington reflects the changing dynamics of transportation during the late 19th century. I'm sure William Winter, who built the inn in 1885, would be very proud that his work is still acknowledged 140 years later, and for the same reason he built it, coaching," Mr Graham said.
Queensland Museum CEO, Dr Jim Thompson, said it was exciting to see a coin honouring the Cobb & Co coach service.
"Queensland Museum Cobb & Co, Toowoomba, home to the National Carriage Collection, is full of stories that showcase the legacy of Cobb & Co and its pivotal role in Australian transportation history. We are delighted this commemorative coin honours Australia's pioneering spirit and resilience, as well as the vital role coaches played in connecting communities," Dr Thompson said.
Cobb & Co Festival organiser, Paul Masson, said the new coin was a fitting tribute to this unique period of Australia's social history.
"We're thrilled that the Royal Australian Mint is releasing a commemorative $1 coin to celebrate the Centenary of the last Cobb & Co run in Australia. It will be a real collector's item with festival goers who attend the Cobb & Co events during August in outback Queensland.
"So many Australians across different generations have a connection with Cobb & Co's rich history, and this limited-edition coin will give them a tangible keepsake that will continue to grow in value, as well as celebrating the 100-year milestone," Mr Masson said.
This coin is a delightful snapshot of an era long gone and will serve as a memento for history buffs. The 2024 $1 Uncirculated Coin - Cobb & Co - Centenary of the Last Coach Service in Australia is $17.50 and is available for purchase through the following channels:
- EQL ballot
- Mint Contact Centre on 1300 652 020 from 8.30am Thursday 1 August 2024
- From participating authorised distributors
Registration for the EQL ballot opens at 8.30am on Wednesday, 31 July and closes at 8.30am on Thursday, 1 August. The draw will take place immediately following the ballot and successful entrants notified by email. To register for the ballot, visit the Mint at www.ramint.gov.au.
Coin design
2024 $1 Uncirculated Coin - Cobb & Co - Centenary of the Last Coach Service in Australia (RRP $17.50)
About the Royal Australian Mint
The Mint is an award-winning, world class Mint and a global leader in the mint industry. The Mint produces circulating coins for Australia and other countries; collectible and investment coins for domestic and international customers; and custom-made medals, medallions and tokens for individual or corporate clients.
The Mint is also a national cultural attraction that educates millions of Australians and international visitors on the history of Australia's decimal currency, and the significance and value of coins.
