Fast food chain McDonald's have announced that they are releasing a global currency.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Big Mac, a limited edition global currency ‘MacCoin' will be released worldwide on Thursday, August 2.

More than 6.2 million MacCoins will be distributed globally, including 50,000 coins in New Zealand.

Over the course of its 50 year history, the Big Mac has become an ubiquitous global icon.

So much so, that The Economist even uses it as an international measure of global currency.

'This global connectivity of the Big Mac inspired the creation of the MacCoin. 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, Director of Marketing, McDonald's NZ.

'We are proud to be able to offer Kiwis 50,000 of these MacCoins from August 2. 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 MacCoin will be available in five collectible designs, each representing a decade of the Big Mac.

Each MacCoin design pulls in elements from that time in history, nodding to art, music and pop culture, while the front-side of the MacCoin celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Big Mac.

The MacCoin highlights the ‘70s, showcasing the decade's flower power, and the ‘80s alludes to pop art.

Bold, abstract shapes defined the ‘90s and translate on the MacCoin design, and the early ‘00s specifically focuses on the technology that was at the forefront of the turn of the century.

The ‘10s MacCoin celebrates the past 10 years and calls attention to the evolution of communication.

'Our team of McDonald's security guards will be patrolling cities and towns from Whangarei to Invercargill handing out MacCoins for fans to either enjoy a free Big Mac on us, or simply collect and treasure for decades to come,” says Jo.

Kiwis who are keen to get their hands on the newest global currency can keep an eye out for Macca's security guards and armoured vehicles as they travel the country distributing the MacCoins. Locations of the guards will be available on the McDonald's NZ Facebook page.