2013 Australian Koala Silver Coins in Color
Posted by Brian Ford on April 09, 2013
Koala silver coins are one of the main sellers at the Perth Mint of Australia and two new issues have been introduced to expand the series dedicated to the Koala. The 2013 Australian Koala 1 Ounce Silver Colored Coin and the 2013 Australian Koala 1 Kilo Silver Proof Coin are now available from the Perth Mint.
Both coins are struck from 99.9 percent pure silver and depict the traditional reverse design. The two coins are different, however, as one is massively large and the other has coloring, a method that has been added by the Perth Mint on many of its coin issues.
The reverses of the silver coins, which are the same, show an adult koala bear resting on the branch of a Eucalyptus tree, the gum leaves, which the bear feeds on, surround the marsupial. The image, well known among coin collectors, is the work of Perth Mint artist Tom Vaughan. The coin that has an added color depicts the tree and its leaves in real life color. The reverse inscriptions read Australian Koala, 2013, 999 Silver and the weigh of the coin, 1 Kilo and 1 oz. respectively.
Ian Rank-Broadley’s depiction of Queen Elizabeth II is featured on the obverse of both silver coins with inscriptions reading Elizabeth II, Australia, and 30 Dollars for the Kilo Silver Coin and 1 Dollar for the coins with coloring.
The Perth Mint presents the kilo coin in a classic black Perth display case and has an illustrated shipped along with a numbered certificate of authenticity. The colored coin is inserted into an illustrated display card listing the coin’s specifications.
The 1 Kilo Koala Coin has a very limited mintage of 500 and the colored 1 Ounce Koala Coin is struck to order and the final mintage will be announced after production has ended.
The Perth Mint has minted several cutting edge coins, which feature elaborate coloring, the inclusion of gemstones native to the Australian continent, and even coins minted in square and rectangular shapes. Silver Coins in the shape of the Australian continent itself depict the love Australians feel for their homeland as well as the progressive view they have regarding coinage.
Tags:
kilo coin, perth mint, silver coins, silver proof coin