AgAuNugget: Australian mint debuts the proof version of its Archie Alpine Dingo coin

A popular series by the Royal Australian Mint, Saltwater Crocodiles has kicked up some pretty nice designs over the last few years, but there have been some occasional detours into different animals. The creature adorning the 2017 coins is a wholly different beast, an Alpine Dingo. Called Archie, the white-coated dingo became a firm favourite at Australia Zoo and remains so today.

As before, the Royal Australian Mint first released a frosted-uncirculated coin mounted on a card. Following on a few months later comes a high-end variant with different artwork. While there have been coloured coins, the format of choice for the last couple of releases has been high-relief and that remains the case here. Limited to 1,500 pieces, this new one-ounce fine silver coin depicts Archie standing on some hard ground. Surrounding him are inscriptions detailing the denomination (FIVE DOLLARS), the composition (1oz .999 Ag) and the coin title.

The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by her name, the date and the issuer (AUSTRALIA). Smaller than the usual one-ounce coin because of the required increase in thickness necessary for a deep strike, it remains a decent design, well packaged and no doubt, well struck. Available to buy now from exclusive distributor EMK for €69.50.

MINTS DESCRIPTION: On 1 October 2015 the Australia Zoo proudly introduced the dingo puppy Archie and his two sisters Eve and Jira to the public. Archie, who was born with very rare white fur, has quickly turned out to be an absolute favourite in the Australian zoo. TV broadcasts and newspaper reports have made Archie known throughout Australia.

Today, Archie is still the star of the Australia Zoo and the favourite of all visitors. The Royal Australian Mint has celebrated his first birthday and great popularity by creating a strictly limited commemorative silver coin – with a mini mintage of only 1,500 coins – struck on 1-ounce silver high relief proof.