To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Big Mac, leading restaurant chain McDonald's today unveiled the Big Mac Coin, a limited-edition global currency based on the internationally famous Big Mac sandwich. The distribution of coins around the world starts already on August 2. Visitors will be able to share, collect or exchange them for free Big Mac burgers at participating McDonald's restaurants in more than 50 countries. Big Mac fans around the world will be able to get their hands on the coins in different ways, as each participating country will celebrate the coin's launch in a unique way.
Over its 50 years of existence, the Big Mac's legendary taste has helped it achieve international recognition and a lasting legacy. No matter where they live in the world, Big Mac fans recognize two beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions and a sesame seed bun. It is an iconic burger that has remained the same since the first day the sandwich was introduced. The Big Mac is so popular that The Economist used the price of a Big Mac to create the Big Mac Index: an economic tool that annually compares the purchasing power of different international currencies. Such an international Big Mac connection inspired the creation of the anniversary coin.
"Since the introduction of the Big Mac hamburger, when McDonald's restaurant belonged to the same family, it has been 50 years. Today it can be enjoyed from Vilnius to Chicago. He's traveled all over the world, allowing people to enjoy great moments," says McDonald's President and CEO Steve Easterbrook. "We wanted to celebrate this occasion internationally, as iconic as the burger itself is." The Big Mac coin goes beyond traditional currencies to commemorate our iconic burger, while giving McDonald's customers around the world the opportunity to enjoy a Big Mac sandwich at our expense."
More than 6.2 million coins will be distributed in more than 50 countries. Five unique coin designs have been created, each representing a decade of the Big Mac's existence. Each design features elements of art, music and pop culture from a specific period, and the obverse side of the coin marks the 50th anniversary of the Big Mac. The 8s are reflected in the coin, emphasizing the dominant flower power movement, while the 9s are represented by the pop art style. Bright, abstract figures define the 10s and thus represent it on the face of the coin, while the first decade of the current century coin is dedicated to the new technologies that were at the forefront of the century's change. The second decade of our century coin marks the last 10 years and draws attention to the evolution of communication. Each coin also features 7 languages representing the many countries participating in the promotion: Arabic, English, Indonesian, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, French and Spanish.
"When my great-grandfather Jim Delligatti created the Big Mac at his grill in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, he just wanted to make his customers happy," says Nick Delligatti, fourth-generation McDonald's owner and great-grandson of Jim Delligatti, creator of the Big Mac. "August 2nd would have been my great-grandfather's 100th birthday and I'm sure he would be very proud to know that his humble hamburger has left such an indelible impression that people around the world can enjoy it as soon as they find a McDonald's restaurant."
Lithuania is also part of Big Mac's 50th anniversary. On Thursday, August 2, all McDonald's restaurants Lithuania will join global activities and offer the opportunity to receive the unique "Big Mac" coin. Special Big Mac Coins will be awarded to every Big Mac burger customer from 9.00:2018 AM until they are all sold out. The owner of the coin will be able to exchange the coin for a Big Mac hamburger until the end of XNUMX.
"We are glad that we are also part of the international "Big Mac" 50th anniversary celebration in Lithuania. Since the first McDonald's restaurant since its opening in Vilnius in 1996, the "Big Mac" sandwich was the most favorite choice of Lithuanian hamburgers. Judging by the great taste of the Big Mac, more than a million Big Mac hamburgers are eaten in Lithuania every year, making it a local hamburger icon. August 2nd will be a happy holiday for all Big Mac lovers in Lithuania, as well as for every McDonald's guest", says Vladimir Janevski, General Manager of McDonald's in the Baltic States.
