2026 50 cent - First Television Broadcast 70th Anniversary Coloured UNC Coin on Card
Mintage 50000
The coin’s reverse features an intricate and engaging design incorporating more than 45 individual symbols and elements, each representing the remarkable diversity of Australian television over the past 70 years. The composition is brought to life with stylised test‑pattern colours, a nostalgic nod to the era when colour broadcasting transformed screens across the nation.
Australian television flicked to life on 16 September 1956, just in time for the Melbourne Olympic Games, when Bruce Gyngell famously greeted viewers with the words, “Good evening and welcome to television.”
For nearly two decades, Australians gathered around bulky black‑and‑white sets to watch newsreels, variety hours and children’s programs that quickly became household favourites. It wasn’t until 1975 that colour broadcasting arrived, revolutionising the viewing experience. Shows like Countdown burst onto screens with vivid energy, while sport and drama took on a new richness and immediacy.
Across the decades, programs such as Neighbours, Play School and Four Corners have shaped national conversations, reflected cultural identity, and helped define the shared stories of generations.
This commemorative design celebrates all of it — the icons, the innovation, and the unforgettable moments that have made Australian television a cornerstone of our national life.
