McDonald's beloved Big Mac is turning 50 - and to celebrate, the burger chain is getting into the new currency game.
The company is releasing 6.2 million MacCoins around the world, with 50,000 of them dropping in New Zealand.
Unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, however, the MacCoin will have no cash value and will only be redeemable for one free Big Mac at participating McDonald's locations this year.
MacCoins will also be handed out for free, rather than exchanged for real money.
In a media release about the currency launch, McDonald's says the Big Mac has a "global connectivity", citing The Economist as even using the burger as an international measure of global currency.
"The MacCoin transcends currencies to commemorate our global iconic burger while giving customers all over the world a chance to enjoy a Big Mac on us," says Jo Mitchell, McDonald's NZ's director of marketing.
"We are proud to be able to offer Kiwis 50,000 of these MacCoins from 2 August.
"We will be transporting MacCoins from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South over the next two weeks encouraging New Zealanders to get in on the action."
The MacCoins will be handed out by McDonald's 'security guards' at 20 towns and cities across the country from August 2 - 10.
When and where to get MacCoins in New Zealand:
Whangarei
NorthTec - Raumanga Campus - August 3, 10:30 - 11:30
The Strand (Cameron Street) - roaming August 3, 12:00 - 13:30
Auckland
Unitec Mt Albert - around Te Puna and trades buildings - August 2, 11:30 - 12:30
Manukau Institute of Technology - Otara Campus - August 2, 13:00 - 14:00
Sylvia Park - August 2, 14:30 - 16:30
Massey Albany - August 3, 10:30 - 12:30
Westfield Albany - front entrance and roaming - August 3, 13:00 - 15:00
Aotea Square & Queen Street - roaming - August 3, 16:15 - 18:30
Hamilton
University of Waikato - Village Green and S Block - August 3, 10:30 - 12:00
Wintec - August 3, 12:30 - 13:30
Garden Place - roaming Victoria Street - August 3, 14:00 - 15:30
Tauranga
University of Waikato & Toi Ohomai - Windermere Campus - August 3, 10:30 - 11:30
Devonport Road - roaming the shopping area - August 3, 12:00 - 13:30
Rotorua
Toi Ohomai - outside N Block - August 7, 11:30 - 12:30
Tutanekai Street/CBD - roaming August 7, 13:00 - 14:30
Taupo
Toi Ohomai - August 8, 11:30 - 12:00
Tongariro Street - roaming August 8, 12:30 - 14:30
Gisborne
EIT - around Student Association Hub - August 8, 11:30 - 12:00
Gladstone Road/CBD - roaming August 8, 12:30 - 14:30
New plymouth
Western Institute of Tech - B Block - August 9, 11:30 - 12:30
Devon Street & outside Centre City Mall - roaming August 9, 13:00 - 14:30
Napier
EIT - Student Association Hub - August 9, 10:30 - 11:30
Emerson Street - roaming August 9, 12:00 - 13:00
Hastings
Heretaunga Street - roaming 9th August, 13:30 - 14:30
Whanganui
UCOL - central campus outside main entrance - 8th August, 11:30 - 12:00
Victoria Ave & surrounding streets - roaming 8th August, 12:30 - 14:30
Palmerston north
Massey - between the library and student centre - August 7, 11:30 - 13:00
The Square/CBD - roaming August 7, 13:30 - 14:30
Wellington
Victoria University - Kelburn Campus (courtyard) - August 6, 10:30 - 12:30
WelTech School of Hospitality - main entrance - August 6, 13:00 - 13:30
Cuba Street - roaming August 6, 14:00 - 17:30
Nelson
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Tech - August 9, 11:30 - 12:30
Trafalgar Street shopping area - roaming August 9, 13:00 - 14:30
Christchurch
University of Canterbury - North Arts Quad - August 10, 11:00 - 13:00
Hagley Park entrance - August 10, 13:30 - 14:30
Latimer Square and surrounding streets - roaming August 10, 15:30 - 16:00
High Street shopping area - roaming August 10, 16:30 - 17:30
Timaru
Stafford Street & main shopping area - roaming August 8, 11:30 - 14:30
Oamaru
Thames Street/CBD - roaming August 7, 11:30 - 14:30
Queenstown
SIT Frankton - August 9, 11:30 - 12:00
Beach Street area - roaming August 9, 13:00 - 14:30
Dunedin
University of Otago - Info Services & library - August 8, 11:30 - 13:00
The Octagon & up to Wall Street - roaming August 8, 13:30 - 15:00
Invercargill
SIT Southern Institute of Tech - roaming Downtown Campus - August 9, 11:30 - 12:15
Esk Street & surrounding streets - roaming August 9, 12:30 - 14:30
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