The McDonald’s Big Mac turns 50 on Thursday, August 2, and the worldwide restaurant chain is celebrating in a big way.
In fact, on Sunday, July 29, McDonald’s unveiled the MacCoin, a limited edition global currency backed by the Big Mac, which fans across the world can get beginning at lunch time on August 2 with the purchase of one of the iconic burgers. MacCoins will be available at 14,000 participating McDonald’s restaurants across the U.S., and thousands more across the globe.
Then, starting on Friday, August 3, through the end of 2018, customers can use the MacCoin to purchase a Big Mac at participating McDonald’s restaurants in the U.S. and at McDonald’s locations in more than 50 participating countries, including China, Greece and Peru.
There are five versions of this food-backed currency, and each one represents a decade of the Big Mac. For example, the ‘70s coin, showcases the decade’s flower power, while the ‘80s version alludes to pop art and the ‘90s coin is defined with bold, abstract shapes.
The MacCoin designed to commemorate the early ‘00s focuses on the technology that was at the forefront of the turn of the century, whereas the ‘10s MacCoin calls attention to the evolution of communication.
Not surprisingly, the MacCoin, which was inspired by the Big Mac Index published by The Economist as an informal way of measuring the purchasing power parity, is already generating a ton of buzz on Twitter.
“Can’t wait, I will collect all five,” one fan wrote. Another added: “This is actually pretty cool.”
Tell Us: Will you be getting your hands on a MacCoin?
