Australian Indicators Directorate has continued its function as certainly one of Australia’s “funnest” intelligence companies, with the discharge of a run of fifty,000 commemorative 50-cent cash etched with a code and coated with strains and features of numbers, in addition to the phrase “reveal and shield”. This 100% goes to be a magnet for conspiracy theories.
In the event you suppose we’re being melodramatic, simply take a look at the historical past of nutty theories which have connected themselves to filthy lucre all through historical past.
The Eye of Windfall
In all probability probably the most well-known money-related conspiracy concept centres on the “Eye of Windfall”. The disembodied eye floating above an unfinished pyramid — which to be honest sounds prefer it must be a poster on a perpetually stoned teenager’s wall — is definitely on the US$1 invoice. Supposed as a reference to the benevolent eye of God, it has forked off right into a sequence of solely completely different interpretations. For the longest time it was taken to be a reference to Freemasonry, which makes use of related iconography, and thus as proof of the Freemasons’ secret affect within the founding of America. Good lord, Freemason conspiracy theories appear quaint now.
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Extra not too long ago, it has morphed into a focus for Illuminati conspiracy theorists. Illuminati theories had been the go-to shadowy cabal previous to QAnon: first centring on an actual Bavarian secret society of that title, which had restricted affect for roughly a decade within the late 1700s, and now largely regarding celebrities like Jay-Z and Madonna supposedly conspiring to management world occasions. The Illuminati concept bubbled up when Joe Biden was sworn in as president, with viral posts saying his ornate Bible was “Masonic/Illuminati”.
Devil’s Bankcard
It’s handed into the realm of anecdote now, however within the Seventies when the Bankcard — Australia and New Zealand’s first mass-market bank card — was first launched, it attracted a persistent conspiracy concept. Apparently the “bbb” on the cardboard itself was really “666”, the mark of the beast in Revelation and thus the introduction of the Bankcard marked the start of the top of the world. Because it seems, Bankcard had its personal Nice Tribulation and conked out in 2006.
COVID and the ten-dollar be aware
The COVID-19 pandemic has been fertile floor for conspiracy theorists the world over. Among the many stranger native iterations was a publish on a well-liked COVID conspiracy Fb group, which centered on the reflective gold safety picture within the prime proper of the Dame Mary Gilmore facet of the be aware, captioned: “The brand new $10 Australian be aware full with coronavirus symbols. You possibly can’t make this up! #areyouawakeyet.”
We just like the addition of “you possibly can’t make this up”, which we imagine qualifies as a performative contradiction on this context. For what it’s price, the picture is definitely a Bramble wattle, in keeping with the RBA, slightly than the coronavirus below a microscope.
Nonetheless, we’re positive a clatter of numbers and symbols, marketed as a recruitment instrument for an enormous authorities surveillance company, gained’t entice any of that type of consideration. Our concept on the code, given the Australian intelligence neighborhood’s love of feeble jokes, is that it’s the lyrics to “In Da Membership”.
Have we missed any nice conspiracy theories hidden within the design of cash? Tell us your ideas by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please embody your full title to be thought-about for publication. We reserve the suitable to edit for size and readability.
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Peter Fray
Editor-in-chief
