Uardry shilling ram bobs his head up again

UARDRY 0.1.

He is, without doubt, the most recognised ram in Australian history.

From 1938 until decimal currency arrived in 1966, 0.1 was the face of the shilling coin.

Until he became an icon, absorbed into the vernacular as the “shilling ram”.

And 0.1 was no ordinary ram. He was the Sydney Royal grand champion ram in 1932.

In a rush of nationalism, he was given the flick with decimal currency in 1966, but there’s no keeping a good ram down.

The torch was passed from Baby Boomers to Generations X, Y and Y-not when 0.1 re-emerged in 1991 — this time on the 50c coin to celebrate 25 decimal years.

Obviously 50c circa the end of the millennium did not have the buying power of a bob in the ‘40s, ‘50s or even ‘60s, but it was recognition of the debt this country owed wool.

Now the old bugger is back to complete the hat-trick.

This time on a golden dollar too, released last week.

The mintmark “shilling ram dollar” is available in proof and uncirculated condition with varying mintmarks and privymarks to be released during the year.

Today’s Uardry stud manager, Ben Lane, said everyone at the stud was excited to see the old boy back.

“We turn 147 this year, and now run Sims Uardry and Dohnes as well as the original Merino stud,"” Mr Lane said.

“In 2008 we had a jackaroos reunion and everyone who attended was given a piece of redgum with the 50 cent 0.1 coin set into it to mark the occasion.

“Now there is a new coin I guess we had better think about a new party.”