Australian Swimming Excellence Silver Coin

The Perth Mint of Australia honors Australia’s legendary success in the sport of swimming with a collector 100 years of Swimming Excellence Silver Proof Coin that also commemorates Swimming Australia.

Swimming Australia has been instrumental in the success of the sport for 100 years. Originally founded in 1909 as the Amateur Swimming Union of Australia, this group boasts almost 100,000 members and over 1,100 local clubs spread throughout the country. The membership ranks are filled with people from all aspects of the sport, including swimmers, officials and volunteers.

With the help of Swimming Australia, Australia has grown to become a recognized international leader in swimming competitions. They are integral in all aspects of the sport, from local swim meets to the Australian Olympic swim team. This involvement has helped to secure multiple Olympic gold medals for the country.

The group’s strategic plans outlines their purpose as:

“Swimming Australia is fostering continued growth and development of the sport at all levels. A combination of industrious administration, key stakeholder relations and forward planning has assured a sustainable future for swimming in this country”

Coin specifications, prices and order details

The Perth Mint’s coin acknowledging 100 years of Swimming Australia’s involvement is available in two styles. One is made from 1 oz. of 99.9% pure silver and is struck in proof quality, while the uncirculated coin is composed of base metal.

The reverse of both coins contains an image of a freestyle swimmer in the water below Swimming Australia’s official ‘100 years of excellence’ logo. The splashes of the water are actually composed of silhouetted figures in different swimming positions. The silver version of the coin features the water in a colorful blue hue. Also seen on the reverse is the Perth Mint’s historic ‘P’ mintmark.

The obverse has Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Also included are the inscriptions “2009”, “Elizabeth II”, “Australia” and the denomination “1 dollar”.

The silver coin is housed in a blue presentation case with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. It has a maximum mintage of only 7,500 units and will weigh a maximum of 32.135 grams, with a diameter of 40.6 mm and a thickness of 4 mm. This silver coin is priced at AUS $88.64 (~69US).

Orders for the silver coin may be placed on The Perth Mint page:

100 Years of Swimming Excellence 1oz Silver Proof Coin

The base metal uncirculated $1 coin will ship on an illustrated presentation card. There is not set mintage of this version. It weighs 13.3 grams with a diameter of 30.6 mm and a thickness of 3.1mm. The price is AUS $12.68 (~10 US).

Orders for the uncirculated $1 coin may be placed on The Perth Mint page:

100 Years of Swimming Excellence $1 Coin

100 Years of Swimming Excellence 1oz Silver Proof 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.