Australian Mint launches new 50-cent coin featuring a secret code

The Royal Australian Mint has launched a new 50 cent coin that features a secret code.

The Mint teamed up with the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to release the new coin on Monday, with 20,000 up for grabs.

The coin features an encrypted message similar to ones used during the Cold War, with a one-of-a-kind ASIO coin on offer as a prize for those lucky enough to crack it.

‘The Royal Australian Mint is honoured to commemorate the last seven decades of ASIO’s important work with the very first coin produced by the Mint featuring an encrypted code similar to that used by operatives during the Cold War’ Royal Australian Mint CEO, Ross MacDiarmid said in a statement.

The coins are being sold for $10 each to mark ASIO’s 70th anniversary.

After purchasing a coin, people are able to enter their encrypted code into an online ‘Coincryption’ competition.

The coins feature a ‘one time pad’ like ones used by Russian intelligence agents to decode secret messages. 

‘2019 is a milestone year for ASIO offering a natural point of reflection, to commemorate our history, and celebrate our success, our people and our culture—it marks 70 years of ASIO’s service protecting Australia and Australians,’ Director-General of Security, Duncan Lewis said. 

After submitting their code, Australians will enter into the draw to win the only ever ASIO designed coin to ever exist.

Entries for the competition will close on December 2.