‘THE TEN POUND POMS .999 SILVER COMMEMORATIVE SET'
The Assisted Passage Migration Scheme was created by the Chifley government and its first Minister for Immigration, Arthur Calwell, in 1945 as part of its ‘Populate or Perish’ policy. It aimed to boost Australia’s post-war population and provide workers for growing industries, offering British migrants employment, housing, and a new life after the devastation of war. For many, the reality was harsher than advertised, with most placed in basic reception centres such as Bonegilla or Bathurst, living in tin-roofed huts with shared facilities and little privacy.
Called ‘Ten Pound Poms’ for the £10 fee charged for passage, the scheme brought over a million migrants from the British Isles between 1947 and 1972, with residents of British colonies such as Malta and Cyprus also eligible. Assisted migrants were generally required to remain for two years or repay their passage, and some returned to Britain before settling permanently. The peak year was 1969, with more than 80,000 migrants arriving, and by 1973 the cost of passage rose to £75, with the scheme ending in 1982.
Migrants arrived by ship and later by air, worked in railways, factories, construction, hospitals, and schools, and helped build suburbs, roads, and communities. Over time, they were joined by Europeans from Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, and Malta, creating the foundations of a multicultural Australia. Their children and grandchildren continue to thrive across every sector of Australian society, embodying the courage, resilience, and contribution of the first arrivals.
The Ten Pound Poms Commemorative Set celebrates the courage, contribution and enduring legacy of the assisted migrants who helped build modern Australia, and has been meticulously crafted to the highest numismatic standards by The Bradford Mint. The collection features exquisite .999 fine silver coins, including an impressively sized 50 mm Silver Commemorative Coin with a central motif symbolising the migrant experience — from the ships that carried them to the promise of a new home.
Each coin bears finely detailed artwork, with the obverse featuring the portraits of King George VI and Princess Elizabeth at the dawn of a new era, and is authorised by Ascension Island with Buckingham Palace approval, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity that provides a fascinating back‑story to the migration story. These limited‑edition coins are exclusive to The Bradford Mint and present a lasting tribute to the ordinary people who crossed the world for an extraordinary life — a tribute that collectors will cherish for generations.
Call one of our Senior Coin Experts now on 02 9841 3324 to secure this tribute to the people who helped re-build Australia.
