Warehouse worker charged after 'innocent' collector found selling uncirculated Bluey coins online for 10 times their face value

The $630,000 worth of rare Bluey coins allegedly stolen from the back of a truck in Sydney were due to be released to the public through Australia Post in September

Rare Bluey coins allegedly stolen from the back of a truck in Sydney were due to be released to the public through Australia Post in September.

Now, a warehouse worker has been charged after an "innocent" collector was found selling the uncirculated coins online for 10 times their face value.

NSW Police allege the worker stole packages containing 63,000 limited edition coins from a Weatherill Park warehouse, in Sydney's west, on June 23.

The coins were produced by the Royal Australian Mint and were out for distribution when they were allegedly snatched.

Some of the 500-kilogram haul of $1 coins were allegedly "offloaded immediately" online, with police confirming they came across a collector selling them for $10 online.

Police said the seller had "innocently come into possession" of the coins, which have now been seized.

Yahoo Finance found several advertisements for the uncirculated coins on eBay for between $12 and $25.

Bluey coins have already proved to be popular, with the coloured 2024 Bluey Dollarbucks released in June skyrocketing in value after selling out.

Fans and avid collectors expressed outrage when supply of the three colourful coins featuring the Heeler family far outstripped the limited supply.

"Great system, all the flippers already have them listed on eBay. Those of us who actually want to collect them still miss out,” one person said.

“This whole thing is an absolute disgrace Why can't every child have the chance to have the coins not just the rich, they are already on eBay for hundreds of dollars,” another said.

'In-demand' Bluey coins to be sold again

A spokesperson for the Royal Australian Mint told Yahoo Finance they could not comment on the ongoing investigation but confirmed the allegedly stolen coins were not the coloured 2024 Bluey Dollarbucks.

Individual coins had been available for $20 each, while a full set was $55.

However, Yahoo Finance found three-coin sets selling for as much as $375. That's more than six times the coin set’s original price.

Expert and collector Matt Thompson, of Thompson Coins, told Yahoo Finance the coloured coins were so valuable as they had such a low mintage, along with the huge popularity of the children's television program.

"The coloured release only had 30,000, but the ones being released in Australia Post will have a much higher mintage," he said.

"[The September release] are not coloured so not quite as rare or collectable. But, anytime there is Bluey involved, there's going to be a lot of demand."

Australia Post said it could not comment on the ongoing police investigation. But Yahoo Finance understands the uncoloured Bluey coins will still be released in September.

A leaked staff memo showed 10 different types of Bluey coins - featuring characters like Bluey, Bingo, Frisky, Rad, Stripe and Nana - will be sold individually in a collectable sleeve for $10 each.

They can also be purchased in a 10-coin tube for $29. That comes with a collectable folder.

Thompson said collectable coins can emerge online prior to release when licensed providers leak them.

"It's not unheard of for people to break embargo and sell stuff to customers before the actual release," he said.

Warehouse worker's arrest

Police received a report on July 12 and established Strike Force Bandit to investigate.

The tongue-in-cheek name is a reference to a character - the father, Bandit.

NSW Police executed a search warrant in Sefton on 31 July, when they allegedly found 189 unreleased limited edition Bluey coins.

On Wednesday, another home in Westmead was searched. A 47-year-old man was arrested.

He was taken to Granville Police Station and charged with three counts of break and enter for a serious indictable offence.

The man was refused bail and will appear before Parramatta Local Court.

Police allege the man sold the coins online just hours after they were stolen.

Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi said only 1,000 coins had been accounted for.

Police are still searching for two men.

Investigations continue.

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