Macquarie Lighthouse, a Sydney landmark, is two centuries old and on a Perth Mint silver coin

The Perth Mint’s August run is out now and in amongst the usual proof versions of their bullion coins are a couple of different items. This one is a one-ounce silver coin dedicated to the bicentenary of Macquarie Lighthouse, the first to be erected in Australia, although the current building wasn’t completed until 1883 after the original sandstone version quite literally started crumbling within five years of completion.

The current structure is quite close in appearance to the original, but it is the 1818 lighthouse that sits on Perth’s coin. The number 200 is integrated into the design quite well and the coin looks a decent homage to this iconic building. Presented in a standard grey coin box within a themed shipper box, it has a mintage of 3,000 and is available now for $99.00 AUD.

REVERSE: Incorporating the number 200, the coin’s reverse pictures Greenway’s original design with a symbolic beam of light emerging from the Fresnel lens-like glow at the top of the tower.

OBVERSE: The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the monetary denomination, and the 2018 year-date are shown on the coin’s obverse.