Australia Post: 2019 $1 Happy Diwali Uncirculated Coin & Stamp

The ancient Hindu ‘festival of lights’, Diwali is celebrated by millions around the world, including also Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, in October or November each year. During this five-day period, festival goers take part in puja (prayers), often kneeling before Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, to seek her divine blessing. A remarkable keepsake to celebrate the occasion or a delightful gift, this intricately coloured first day cover honours traditional depictions of the deity with an appealing design.

Divine Design:
The reverse of the coin features a coloured representation of Lakshmi sitting on a lotus flower, a traditional symbol of enlightenment and purity, against a decorated panel. The goddess holds lotus flowers and is dropping coins from one of her four palms into a bowl at her feet. Also included in the design is a background pattern of flowers, the inscription ‘happy diwali’ and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.

Official Commemorative Postal Numismatic Cover:
The coin is housed in a brightly coloured card and envelope featuring stylised depictions of oil lamps, known as diyas, which are traditionally lit during Diwali. The envelope is affixed with an official celebratory Australia Post $1 stamp and a Happy Diwali stamp portraying Lakshmi. The postal numismatic cover incorporates with a themed postmark for the first date of issue, 23 July 2019, and declares ‘shubh dipavali’ or happy diwali.