2009 Australian Kookaburra Silver Coin

Available now for over 20 years, the Perth Mint has created yet another unique design for their 2009 Australian Kookaburra Silver Coin. Like only a handful of other bullion coins around the world, the Kookaburra features a new reverse design each year.

Design changes are not the only reason these coins are sought after every year. Minted from 99.9% pure silver, these bullion coins initially sell for only a small premium over the value of the silver they contain. This makes them ideal not only for collectors, but also for precious metal investors.

The Kookaburra bird itself is indigenous to Australia and New Guinea. A carnivorous creature by nature, they feast on other animals like snakes, mice, insects, other birds, etc. Their habitat is also as varied, surviving in locations from humid rain forests to dry savannas. Some more social varieties are even known to steal meat off of picnic tables or backyard barbeques.

What really sets the Kookaburra bird apart from others is its unique call. Most compare it eerily to loud human laughter. As such, it has wound its way into the movies and television, and people seldom forget the call once they have heard it.

Kookaburra silver coin specifications and order details

The coins featuring these kingfishers are available in four different sizes, 1 kilo, 10 oz, 2 oz, and 1 oz. Their diameters are 101.00mm, 75.50mm, 50.30mm, 40.60mm, respectively. No mintage limits are set for the three largest sizes, but the 1 oz. coin maximum is 300,000.

The Currency Act of 1965 authorizes these coins to be considered legal tender of Australia and as such the obverse contains an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, as depicted by Ian Rank-Broadley.

The reverse of the 2009 Kookaburra shows the namesake bird perched on a branch. The 2009 coin also features a special ‘P20’ mintmark, identifying the 20th anniversary of the Kookaburra bullion.

These coins are available through many channels, although they are not sold directly by the Mint to the public. For a listing of current auctions on eBay, check out:

2009 Australian Kookaburra Silver Coin

2009 Kookaburra 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.