2013 Budgerigar Silver Coin Second in Birds of Australia Series

The 2013 Budgerigar Silver Proof Coin is available now from the Perth Mint of Australia as the second of five silver coins in the Birds of Australia Series.

Each of the coins is struck to proof quality from 1/2 ounce of 99.9% pure silver and features a reverse design showcasing a colored image of a budgerigar.

Budgerigars are more commonly known to many as the common pet parakeet or shell parakeet. Many also refer to them by their nickname as the budgies. They are indigenous to the drier locations of Australia where they have thrived for millions of years.

The small seed-eating parrots have long tails and have become a popular pet around the world. They are known to mimic human speech at times and are generally playful in nature.

Budgerigar Silver Coin Designs and Specifications

On the reverse of the silver coins is a budgerigar shown in its natural hues of greens and yellows — other colors have been bred into captive stocks of the birds.

Designed by Natasha Muhl, the bird is shown perched with native flora with the inscriptions of "BUDGERIGAR" at the top of the design and the Perth Mint’s historic ‘P’ mint mark to the right.

These silver coins are struck as legal tender of Australia with a face value of AUD $0.50. The authority to strike them as legal tender was given under the Australian Currency Act of 1965.

The face value is indicated on the obverse of the coin with the inscription of "50 CENTS," which is joined by "2013," "1/2 oz 999 SILVER," "AUSTRALIA" and "ELIZABETH II." All of the inscriptions circle the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

Preceding this release in the Birds of Australia Series was the Red-Tailed Black-Cockatoo Silver Coin. It will be followed by three more releases depicting the Regent Bowerbird, the Rainbow Lorikeet and the Splendid Fairy-wren.

All of the silver coins are struck with a minimum gross weight of 15.591 grams, a maximum diameter of 36.60 mm and a maximum thickness of 2.30 mm.

Each comes housed in a Perth Mint presentation case with a customized shipper. A numbered certificate of authenticity is also included which lists the maximum mintage of the strike at just 10,000.

Those interested in obtaining the 2013 Budgerigar Silver Coin may do so directly from the Perth Mint. They are available now for AUS $61.36, or US $64.04. Prices may change daily due to fluctuations in the silver market.

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About the Perth Mint

The Royal Mint of England originally opened the Perth Mint of Australia (www.perthmint.com.au) in 1899 as a branch of the London facility. Its original purpose was to refine gold from nearby deposits in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie and mint gold sovereigns from it.