2012 Bush Baby Kookaburra Silver Coin Launches Australian Series

A new series of coins makes its debut from the Perth Mint of Australia with the release of the 2012 Bush Baby Kookaburra Silver Coin. This one-half ounce, .999 fine proof strike is the first of five to be released by the Perth Mint as part of the new Australian Bush Babies II silver coin series.

Showcased on the reverse of the silver coin is a colored design featuring a baby kookaburra bird. Mintage for the strike is limited to 10,000.

This series serves as a continuation of the original Australian Bush Babies program that proved extremely popular with collectors. Of the five issued as part of that original series, four sold out within short order.

The new silver coin series will also features a total of five new coins. In addition to the inaugural 2012 Bush Baby Kookaburra Silver Coin, the Australian Bush Babies II series will contain coins depicting:

• Possum,
• Platypus,
• Echidna, and
• Wombat

All of these creatures may be found within Australia.

The kookaburra is a member of the kingfisher species. It is native to Australia but is known around the world for its unforgettable call which closely resembles loud human laughter. Kookaburras are thought to mate for life with both the male and female sharing incubation duties for unhatched eggs.

Baby Kookaburra 1/2 oz Silver Coin Designs and Specifications

The reverse of the coin depicts the baby kookaburra bird colored in true life hues. The baby is shown amidst delicately frosted Australian bush flowers with a spider descending from above. The reverse was designed by Perth Mint artist Elise Martinson.

Also shown on the reverse is the inscription of "AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA." The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark is located to the right of the kookaburra.

Coins of the Australian Bush Babies II series are struck as legal tender of Australia under the Australian Currency Act of 1965. Each features a face value of 50 cents.

That face value is indicated on the obverse of the coin with the inscription of "50 CENTS," which is joined by the inscriptions of "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," "1/2 OZ 999 SILVER" and "2012." All of these surround the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Perth Mint places each Bush Baby Kookaburra Silver Coin inside a black display case. The case is included, along with a numbered certificate of authenticity, inside an illustrated shipper. Those opting to subscribe to all five coins of the series will also receive a free series display box (while supplies last) which will hold all five illustrated shippers.

As previously stated, each coin is struck from one-half ounce of 99.9% pure silver. The coin has a maximum diameter of 36.60 mm, a maximum thickness of 2.30 mm and a minimum gross weight of 15.591 grams.

Orders for the silver coin may be placed directly with the Perth Mint for AUD $61.36.

Ad Banner to Perth Mint Website for New Coin Releases

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.