Bluey Meets Cricket: Inside the Mint's New Rusty Coin

The Royal Australian Mint has added a new item to Australia's Bluey merchandise lineup: a collectible coin based on the show's "Cricket" episode. The design puts Rusty at the crease, with Bluey shown cheering from the field. The Mint is billing the coin as a tribute to backyard cricket, friendship and family moments, with CEO Emily Martin describing it as a celebration of "two things Australians love: Bluey and cricket."

The coin comes in two formats. A $1 uncirculated coin in a display card is priced at $25, while a $1 silver proof version packaged in a cricket-ball tin costs $112.50. The Royal Australian Mint says the EQL Ballot for the release opens on Friday 18 September 2026 at 8:30am, closing at the same time on Monday.

The Mint has set mintages of 200,000 for the carded $1 coin and 20,000 for the silver proof version. Because the Mint limits production, new releases are typically offered through a ballot rather than regular retail ordering.

The release fits a wider shift in Australian collecting. According to Deloitte Access Economics data cited in the Mint's announcement, Australia had more than 7.6 million collectors as of 2025, and the eBay State of Collectables report found coins are now Australia's most collected item.

Why the Mint Is Betting on Bluey, Cricket and Scarcity

Bluey's Licensing Appeal Is Doing the Work

Bluey is an unusually strong Australian cultural export, and the "Cricket" episode is one of the series' most discussed. BBC Studios director Sharon Wilson calls Rusty "one of the show's most beloved characters." For the Mint, attaching a coin to that fandom is a way to reach younger families and crossover cricket fans, not just traditional coin collectors.

Two Price Points, Two Different Buyer Pools

The pricing and production numbers create a deliberate split. The $25 carded coin has a much larger mintage of 200,000 and is aimed at casual buyers and families; the $112.50 silver proof has just 20,000 units and is targeted at serious collectors who want a premium, limited object. The ball-tin packaging reinforces the gift and display angle.

The Collectibles Market Is Growing — But Resale Is Not Guaranteed

The Deloitte/eBay figures explain why the Mint can expect strong demand: coins are reportedly Australia's most collected item, and 7.6 million people identify as collectors. Still, the data also shows only 19 per cent of collectors say they are involved primarily for financial reasons. That suggests demand is mostly driven by enjoyment and fandom rather than reliable investment returns, so the secondary-market value of these coins remains unproven.

What Collectors Should Know Before Friday's Ballot

For collectors who want either version:

  • The EQL Ballot opens Friday 18 September 2026 at 8:30am and closes at the same time Monday, so check the Mint's ballot page before the window shuts if you want a chance.
  • If you are a casual Bluey or cricket fan, the $25 carded $1 coin is the lower-cost option and has a much larger mintage of 200,000.
  • If your priority is scarcity and premium packaging, the $112.50 silver proof in the cricket-ball tin is limited to 20,000 units.
  • Treat any future resale as uncertain: only 19 per cent of collectors say they collect primarily for financial reasons, so buy because you want the item, not because you expect a guaranteed return.