2012 Australian Map Shaped Kookaburra Silver Coin Available
June 4, 2012 by Darrin Lee Unser · 1 Comment
The Perth Mint of Australia is known around the world for its unique and innovative numismatic products. That fact is proven once again with the release of the 2012 Australian Map Shaped Kookaburra Silver Coin.
As the name of the new release indicates, the silver coin actually comes in the shape of the Australian continent. This release marks the first of the new Australian map shaped series which will feature native Australian animals on the reverse. This specific coin depicts the iconic kookaburra in front of a colored background.
The Perth Mint indicates an extremely limited maximum mintage of 6,000 is in place for the Kookaburra Silver Coin. Each is struck from one ounce of 99.9% pure silver.
Kookaburra Silver Coin Design, Specifications and Order Details
The kookaburra is native to Australia but still is recognizable to individuals in many other countries thanks to its unmistakable call. The call sounds like loud human laughter which, once heard, is easy for most to remember and associate with the bird.
Shown on the reverse of the silver coin is a depiction of the kookaburra. It stands perched on a fence in the Australian bush with the background scene presented in color. Reverse inscriptions include "KOOKABURRA," "2012" and "1 OZ 999 SILVER."
Also shown on the reverse is the Perth Mint’s historic ‘P’ mintmark. It is found to the lower left of the image. The designer of record for the coin is Ing Ing Jong.
A small Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II is shown on the obverse of the coin. Obverse inscriptions surrounding the portrait include "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," "2012" and "1 DOLLAR."
These coins are struck as legal tender of Australia as indicated by the obverse inscriptions with a face value of AUS $1. They are issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act of 1965.
2012 Australian Map Shaped Kookaburra Coin Specifications
Silver Content (Troy oz) | 1 |
Face Value (AUS) | $1 |
Fineness (% purity) | 99.9 |
Minimum Gross Weight (g) | 31.135 |
Maximum Diameter (mm) | 40.60 |
Maximum Thickness (mm) | 4.52 |
Each 2012 Australian Map Shaped Kookaburra Silver Coin is housed in a black display case and ships with a numbered certificate of authenticity inside an illustrated shipper. The shipper also shows an image of a kookaburra. These strikes are available now from the Perth Mint while the limited mintage of 6,000 lasts. Pricing depends on the movements of the silver market. The price as of this writing is AUS $102.27, or right under $100 in U.S. dollars.
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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.
When can I order 2012 Australian Map Shaped Kookaburra Silver Coin?