2012 Australian Koala 5 Ounce Silver Proof Coin Available

For the second time in two years, the Perth Mint has released a 5 ounce numismatic strike as part of the popular Koala silver coin series. The 2012 Australian Koala 5 Ounce Silver Proof Coin is available now directly from the Perth.

Collectors eagerly obtained the 2011 version when it first appeared last year, leading to a highly successful product offering. This newest release is expected to continue on that same trend.

The design for the latest 5 ounce coin is different from last year as is standard for Koala coins from the Perth Mint which changes them annually. The related bullion coins made their debut in 2007 with collector grade offerings such as the Gilded Koala silver coins first appearing in 2008. Each year, coins of the series feature a new reverse design with the image on the newest 5 ounce coin first appearing on the 2012 bullion coins released in November of 2011.

Koalas are native to Australia and easily identifiable with the nation. Thus, they make an ideal candidate for an Australian coin series. The marsupials feed almost exclusively on the leaves of the eucalyptus tree found on the eastern and southern coastal regions of the nation.

Koala Silver Coin Designs and Specifications

The image of the koala shown on the reverse of the 2012 Australian Koala 5 Ounce Silver Proof Coin is the work of Perth Mint artist Aleysha Howarth. It depicts the marsupial resting on the branch of a eucalypts tree with its forelimbs hanging around that branch.

Obverse inscriptions for the reverse include “AUSTRALIAN KOALA” and “2012 5 oz 999 SILVER.” The reverse design also shows the inscription of “AH” for the artist along with the Perth Mint’s historic ‘P’ mintmark.

The 5 ounce coin is struck as legal tender of Australia and has a face value of $8 associated with it. That face value is shown on the obverse of the coin with the inscription of “8 DOLLARS.” Other obverse words include “AUSTRLALIA” and “ELIZABETH II.” All of the obverse inscriptions surround the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England by Ian Rank-Broadley.

Each of these coins is struck from 5 ounces of 99.9% pure silver. They feature a minimum gross weight of 155.673 grams with a maximum diameter of 60.60 mm and a maximum thickness of 7.90 mm.

The Perth Mint places the coin in a display case and ships it inside an illustrated shipper showing a colorful koala picture. Also included is a numbered certificate of authenticity which indicates the maximum mintage of the strike of 5,000.

The 2012 Australian Koala 5 Ounce Silver Proof Coin is available directly from the Perth Mint at a current price of $450.00.

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About the Perth Mint

The Royal Mint of England established the Perth Mint (www.perthmint.com.au) as a branch facility in 1899 to refine and strike gold recovered from nearby deposits. Ownership was transferred to the State Government of Western Australia in 1970. Today the Perth is responsible for the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program in addition to striking some of the most unique numismatic coins in the world.