The Royal Australian Mint in Canberra has created the first coin with four heads to mark 100 years of Australian coinage.

The $1 coin design honours the four monarchs that have appeared on Australian coins over the past century.

Acting chief executive officer Graham Smith says it commemorates a significant milestone in Australian history.

"Along with the new government and Constitution, the change in 1910 from the British monetary system to our own, heralded the unity and budding independence of our young nation," he said.

"This is what we are celebrating in 2010."

The coin features portraits of King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, and bears the 'C' for Canberra mintmark.

Melbourne coin collector Bruce Mansfield lined up for 18 hours to be first person to strike the new coin.

To read the complete article, see:Heads or tails? Celebrating 100yrs of coinage(www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/01/2783905.htm?section=australia)