Australian Commemorative Coins Spark Comparisons to Shrek Characters

The commemorative coins issued by the Royal Australian Mint to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II have become a subject of curiosity and amusement on social media. According to Ming Pao, the silver pieces, with values of 5 Australian dollars and 5 cents, generated unexpected reactions from the online community due to the depiction of the Monarch’s portrait.

The Controversial Portrait That Became a Meme

The design of Queen Elizabeth II’s face on the coins drew particular attention on the internet. Users and commentators began making creative analogies with pop culture characters. The comparison to Shrek characters became one of the most popular, especially after noting the resemblance between the expression in the portrait and the facial features of the famous animated ogre. Additionally, some observers also drew parallels with the character Mary Poppins from the film “Mary Poppins,” pointing out similar facial features.

Repercussions on Social Media

The phenomenon reflects how official works can generate unexpected interpretations when exposed to scrutiny by the digital audience. The comparisons between the royal iconography and Shrek characters exemplify social media’s ability to turn institutional moments into viral entertainment topics. The Australian Mint, for its part, maintains focus on the commemorative and historical value of the pieces, while the public continues to enjoy the perceived similarities.