Canberra, 14 November 2011 | tennis.com.au

2012 is a historic year for the Australian Open as it will be the 100th time the men’s singles championship will be contested.

To commemorate this milestone, the Australian Open trophies visited the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra last week where a special range of collectible coins are being produced.

Hayden Okines, a local Canberra MLC Tennis Hot Shot, had the honour of pressing the button to start production of the collectible coins.

Federal Member for Fraser Andrew Leigh, Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries, CEO of the Royal Australian Mint Ross MacDiarmid and CEO of Tennis ACT Ross Triffit were all present to witness and celebrate this special occasion.

“The Royal Australian Mint is producing four stunning coins to mark this significant sporting milestone, each being a replica of either the trophies or the unique 100th men’s champion medal also produced right here at the mint,” MacDiarmid said.

The range includes $2 and $5 replicas of the winner’s medallion, which will be awarded at the men’s final ceremony on the final night of the tournament, as well as replicas of the two coins tossed at the men’s and women’s finals matches, which feature the men’s and women’s singles trophies.

While at the Royal Australian Mint, Canberra locals had the chance to have their photo taken with the 100th Men’s Champion medal, as well as Australian Open trophies – the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup (men’s singles trophy) and the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup (women’s singles trophy).

The collectible coins will be available to purchase from 19 December 2011 at the Australian Open Shop in Garden Square, Melbourne Park, and from 1 January 2012 through the Royal Australian Mint www.ramint.gov.au.