PREPARING FOR PEACE

World War I Posters

ANZAC 2026 Stamp and Coin Cover

To commemorate the ANZAC spirit the latest Perth Mint release celebrates soldiers returning to their families.

Key features:

• Slouch hat, poppies, and eternal flame.
• Part of the AusPost 2026 ANZAC Day – Preparing for Peace stamp issue
• Postcard & Envelope with two stamps and $1 Coin
• Issue Limit 6,500
• First day of issue official Australian Post stamp

Product Information:

• Item Code                  26X36BAA
• Barcode                    9349766049849
• Issue Limit    6,500
• Release Date           14 April 2026

Anzac Day falls on 25 April each year, the day Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915. Since 1916, it has been dedicated to commemorative activities honouring the courage and sacrifice of the first ANZACs during World War I and all succeeding Defence Force personnel who have served in times of war and other operations.

The coin portrays a slouch hat and red poppy flowers, both iconic symbols closely tied to the identity of the Australian Army. The red poppy holds profound significance, stemming from its connection to World War I, where it emerged as a symbol of remembrance—thriving amidst the devastated battlefields of Europe. The slouch hat’s historical importance traces back to Australia’s entry into modern warfare at Gallipoli and the distinguished reputation earned by the Australian Imperial Force on the Western Front. Since then, the upturned-brim felt hat has come to represent the bravery of the Australian soldiers and has evolved into a national emblem, a symbol of distinction and pride.

War is an expensive undertaking, as is a nation’s recovery once conflict is over. This is true for both victorious nations and defeated ones.

After World War I, the Australian Government needed to raise money to help recover some of the costs of waging war, and to assist ex-servicemen with resettlement, vocational training, employment and housing. Some support was also offered to war widows and returned nurses.

To fund these efforts, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (which from 1912 to 1960 served as Australia’s central bank) issued peace bonds on behalf of the government. This was a method of raising loans from the public: individuals and organisations bought bonds, which could be redeemed with interest. All Australians – even children – were encouraged to subscribe, to help their compatriots who had served to return to civilian life.

The peace bonds followed a successful series of war loans issued during the conflict, which Australians had supported generously, well exceeding the bank’s original goal. In total, the seven war loans and three peace loans issued between 1915 and 1921 raised more than £250 million, from a population of just five million people. To encourage investment, most of the loans offered favourable tax treatment. The annual interest rate for the war loans was 4.5 or 5 per cent, and for the peace loans between 5 and 6 per cent, with loan periods varying between seven and ten years.

The peace bonds were heavily promoted in various ways, including demonstrations of trades suitable for returned soldiers, participation by returned personnel (such as airmen making fly-pasts over cities and visiting country areas), the encouragement of rivalry between groups in buying more bonds, newspaper advertising, banners, public meetings, and ephemera such as posters. These posters were widely distributed and appealed to emotions such as patriotism, thrift, gratitude and hope; imagery often included women and children as well as military figures.

Design

Coin Design: Included in the design is a motif representing a torch and an eternal flame, the inscriptions ‘25 APRIL’ and ‘LEST WE FORGET’, the year-date and a ‘P’ mintmark. Issued as Australian legal tender, the uncirculated aluminum bronze coin is housed in a beautifully designed card with a circular window revealing the coin’s reverse and obverse designs.

Stamp Design: Part of the 2026 ANZAC Day – Preparing for Peace stamp issue - The front of the stamp pack is based on a poster published by John Sands Ltd, in which a returned soldier and a brightly clad young woman look out optimistically towards the horizon.

Presentation

Official Australia Post Stamp Affixed to the envelope are two official Australia Post stamps. The stamps are postmarked for the first day of issue and the envelope includes Australia Post’s Seal of Authenticity.

Technical Specifications