2009 Australian Koala Silver Coin

Designed by indigenous artist Darryl Bellotti, the 2009 Australian Koala Silver Coin is one of the world’s most popular 99.9% fine bullion silver coins. This is the third year a koala design has been available as part of this very successful series from the Perth Mint of Australia.

The koala, native to Australia, has long been associated with that country. As such, it is the perfect animal to depict on a coin. Artist Darryl Bellotti has taken his experience as a Mint designer and created a coin worthy of the creature. The reverse showcases a young koala sitting on a tree branch, looking towards the viewer. On all but the 1 kilo coin, behind the koala and the branch, a unique shimmer background is used which focuses our attention on the iconic marsupial.

Koalas are protected by the government of Australia, but that has not always been the case. They were hunted almost to extinction for their fur, a practice which is now against the law. In fact, it is illegal to even have possession of a koala, except in special circumstances such as healing a wound.

This governmental protection has not eliminated all risk for the koalas. As civilization continues to encroach upon their territory, the Eucalyptus trees which the koalas feed and live on are being cut down. Also, attacks from dogs and disease are of major concern.

Koala Coin Specifications

The 2009 Koala coin is available in 1 kilo, 10 oz, 1 oz, and 1/2 oz sizes which carry a face value of $30, $10, $1, 50 cents respectively. They ship on an illustrated display card with a Certificate of Authenticity on the back.

Mintage is based on demand, but the annual design changes and the fact that the government guarantees the weight and purity insures the collectible nature of these coins.

Weight	Gross Weight	Face Value	Diameter	Thickness
1 Kilo Coin	1,0001.002g	$30	101.00mm	14.60mm
10 oz Coin	311.347g	$10	75.50mm	8.70mm
1 oz Coin	31.135g	$1	40.60mm	4.00mm
1/2 oz Coin	15.573g	$.50	36.10mm	2.30mm

 

Silver Koala 1 oz order details

The Perth Mint offers the 1oz size of the Koala coin directly on its web site (other versions are available from Perth Mint distributors). It is currently priced at $34.55 AUS (~27.85 US) and is available at:

2009 Australian Koala 1oz Silver Coin

The cost may change slightly from day-to-day based on the latest price of silver.

2009 Australian Koala Silver Coin Image

About the Perth Mint

The Perth Mint, wholly-owned by the State Government of Western Australia, is the official issuer of the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program. The Mint opened in 1899 in response to the discovery of rich gold deposits in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. It was Australia’s third branch of Britain’s Royal Mint – the others being the Sydney Mint and the Melbourne Mint (both closed).

The Perth Mint remained under Britain’s jurisdiction until 1 July 1970, when ownership transferred to the State Government of Western Australia.

In 2003, The Perth Mint officially opened an 8,400 square metre state-of-the-art manufacturing facility next door to its original limestone building. Dominating the Mint’s heritage precinct, these two important buildings are powerful symbols of more than 100 years of minting excellence in Western Australia.