63,000 Bluey Coins Stolen in Sydney
A man in Australia has been arrested for stealing over 60,000 coins from a warehouse in Sydney. But they weren't just any coins — they were limited-edition "dollarbucks" based on the popular Australian kids' show Bluey.
"Dollarbucks" are the currency used in the world of Bluey, a young blue dog who lives with her sister Bingo, dad Bandit and mom Chilli in an animated version of Brisbane, Australia.
The Royal Australian Mint produced only 90,000 of the real-world "dollarbucks," which are set to be released in September 2024.
The gold colored coins feature images of Bluey and her family, and each officially holds a value of one Australian dollar — about 66 cents — and can be used as legal tender in Australia. However, their recommended retail price is about $13 each.
It's believed that a worker at the Sydney warehouse where the coins were being held stole 63,000 of them from the back of a truck. They were sold online hours later, and while police say about 1,000 have been recovered, the rest of the coins are believed to be in general circulation.
One seller on the online shopping site eBay was seen offering a pack of three Bluey coins for nearly $300.
The stolen coins are part of a second release by the Royal Australian Mint, with the first release of Bluey coins selling out shortly after being made available in June this year.
It's no surprise the coins are so popular. The animated show is loved around the world, and is known for teaching sometimes difficult life lessons with kindness and humor. Last year, it was the second-most-streamed TV show in the US.
