Like the Royal Canadian Mint, the Perth Mint has always had a thing for natural history coins but whereas the former has its Polar Bears, foxes and maple leaves, the latter has the advantage of being based in a country that has, for want of a better description, some very interesting wildlife. While there’s a lot that doesn’t want to kill you, some being happy with just a little maiming, the really cool parts of the menagerie contain some proper forces of nature. Two of those adorn numismatics this month, one that snacks on people swimming, and one that snacks on people walking. Never let it be said that Aussie wildlife isn’t an equal opportunities killer…

First up is what we originally thought was going to be a proof version of the bullion coin exclusively sold by APMEX last year, but what we’ve got instead is one of our favourite Perth Mint formats, a high-relief coin, and one with all-new Natasha Muhl artwork. It’s an unusual design, clearly moving away from realism to something more stylistic. It’s a clean, dynamic piece that we suspect you’ll want to pass on, or buy immediately. One ounce versions in gold and silver at $2695.00 and $104.00 respectively, as with them all here,  in Australian dollars.

Secondly, we’ve got a proof version of last years Saltwater Crocodile bullion coin. No complaints here on that. It was a popular coin, but not a high quality one, so this is the best way to get the design looking its best. Another Natasha Muhl design, this obviously lacks the intricacies of a custom proof coin as it’s designed to be sold in bulk, but we like it a lot. Sometimes less is more and the box art is superb. $99.00 AUD

Finally, we have the last release in the five-coin Australian Age of Dinosaurs series. Australia doesn’t have an especially exciting range of dinosaurs to choose from unlike, for example, Canada, the US or Europe. New finds occur all the time, but much of the countries interior is largely unexplored palaeontologically speaking, and large land reptiles are relatively scarce. The downside to this is that many of the subjects in this series are relatively unknown, which may even be a good thing, but those expecting Tyrannosaurs, Spinosaurs or Triceratops will be disappointed. Selectively coloured, the art is good, having been done by Gods of Olympus artist, Tom Vaughan, and it makes an attractive set for those that like dinosaurs, and who doesn’t? Also $99.00.

2015 GREAT WHITE SHARK HIGH-RELIEF

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The great white shark is a type of large lamniform shark, which can be found in temperate coastal waters all over the world. They live in the upper part of the ocean, closer to the surface, and close to shore, where sunlight shines through the water and prey is readily available, and easily visible.

Struck by The Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver or 99.99% pure gold in proof quality, each coin is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965.

The Perth Mint will release no more than 10,000 of the Great White Shark 2015 1oz Silver Proof High Relief Coin and 500 of the Great White Shark 2015 1oz Gold Proof High Relief Coin.

DESIGN: Each coin’s reverse depicts a great white shark with its jaws open, exposing its sharp teeth. The design includes the inscription GREAT WHITE, and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2015 year-date, and the monetary denomination are depicted on each coin’s obverse.

PRESENTATION: Each silver coin is individually housed in a classic grey Perth Mint display case within an illustrated shipper and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. Each gold coin is individually housed in a prestigious wooden display case within an illustrated shipper and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION WEIGHT DIAMETER FINISH MINTAGE BOX / COA
$1 AUD 0.999 SILVER 31.135 g 32.60 mm PROOF 10,000 YES / YES
$100 AUD 0.9999 GOLD 31.107 g 27.30 mm PROOF 500 YES / YES

2015 SALTWATER CROCODILE PROOF

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The Australian Saltwater Crocodile is the largest reptile in the world in terms of body mass, and is found in suitable habitats from northern Australia through Southeast Asia to the eastern coast of India. Their sheer enormity makes them the most dangerous of all crocodiles to humans.

Struck by The Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver, the coin is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965. The Perth Mint will release no more than 5,000 of the 2015 Australian Saltwater Crocodile 1oz Silver Proof Coin.

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse depicts a saltwater crocodile with its jaws open, exposing its sharp teeth. The design includes the inscription AUSTRALIAN SALTWATER CROCODILE, The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark, and the 201 5 year-date. The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2015 year-date, and the monetary denomination are depicted on each coin’s obverse.

PRESENTATION: Each coin is individually housed in a classic grey Perth Mint display case within an illustrated shipper and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION WEIGHT DIAMETER FINISH MINTAGE BOX / COA
$1 AUD 0.999 SILVER 31.135 g 40.60 mm PROOF 5,000 YES / YES

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AUSTRALIAN DINOSAURS 05: MUTTABURRASAURUS

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The Muttaburrasaurus is the final coin in this exciting five-coin series featuring Australian dinosaurs that existed in the Cretaceous Period between 112 and 102 million years ago. Muttaburrasaurus was a large herbivorous dinosaur that would have measured up to seven metres in length. Although predominantly bipedal, the creature was also capable of walking on all four legs. Muttaburrasaurus had an unusual skull with a large, bulbous, hollow chambered snout that is believed to have amplified the volume of its call.

Struck by The Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver, the coin is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965. The Perth Mint will release no more than 5,000 of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs – Muttaburrasaurus 2015 1oz Silver Proof Coin.

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse depicts the Australian dinosaur Muttaburrasaurus langdoni set against a colourful, prehistoric scene. The inscription MUTTABURRASAURUS, the coin’s weight and purity, and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark are also incorporated into the design. The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2015 year-date, and the monetary denomination are depicted on each coin’s obverse.

PRESENTATION: Each coin is individually housed in a classic grey Perth Mint display case within an illustrated shipper and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION WEIGHT DIAMETER FINISH MINTAGE BOX / COA
$1 AUD 0.999 SILVER 31.135 g 40.60 mm PROOF 5,000 YES / YES
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