A pretty good mix this month from collector favourites, the Perth Mint. We’ve already covered the 2015 Australian Sovereign, and the coins here represent the bulk of the rest for March 2015.

The ANZAC commemorations continue with a poignant ¼oz gold coin depicting the grief over the loss of a fallen comrade, and a rare one-kilo silver coin celebrating the sacrifices made by ANZAC troops by listing out the battles in which they’ve fought. It look slike the Perth Mint have a strong program in place for the centenary, as does the Royal Australian Mint and the New Zealand Post.

The latest map-shaped coin hits the market this month and it features a bird that’s risen to numismatic prominence due to John Mercanti’s sublime bullion coin from 2014, the Wedge-tailed Eagle. We think these are nice coins, a little different, although we think the mint missed a trick in not selling these in the map-shaped Nimbus-style display frames they use elsewhere.

Lastly, there’s a pretty wedding coin that we can see being very popular in that market. Not one for the numismatist we acknowledge, but the gift market will have little to complain about with some appropriate packaging and the fine Jennifer McKenna design.

ANZAC SPIRIT: GOODBYE COBBA

MINTS DESCRIPTION

When news of the war broke in 1914, Australia immediately offered assistance to Britain and her allies.  Major political parties, churches, community leaders and newspapers urged people to support the war effort, and the Government implemented a vigorous recruiting campaign.  Within weeks, thousands of volunteers had come forward.

By the end of the Great War more than 416,000 Australian men had enlisted from a population of fewer than 5 million, representing approximately 38.7% of the total male population aged between 18 and 44*.

Sadly, many of these soldiers never returned home with more than 60,000 Australians losing their lives during the war. Many of these men died in battle, their final resting place the battle fields on which they fought.

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse depicts an Australian soldier at a graveside being comforted by the spirit of his fallen comrade. Poppies can be seen in the foreground and rugged terrain in the background. The design includes the inscription 1915 – GOODBYE COBBER. GOD BLESS YOU and The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark.

PACKAGING: Each coin will be presented in a black and red themed display case featuring the words PRIDE, RESPECT, and GRATITUDE on the outside of the case, within a themed shipper, and accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

The Wade Robinson designed coin sells for $5,050 AUD ($459.09 less for non-Australians)

SPECIFICATION

ANZAC SPIRIT: LEST WE FORGET

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The Perth Mint is proud to present this stunning 1 kilo silver coin commemorating the fallen soldiers of the First World War.

Over the past 100 years, there have been many poignant symbols and phrases that have come to be associated with military loss.

The phrase ‘Lest we Forget’ is often added as the final line in the Ode of Remembrance which is taken from Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen, first published in 1914. The Ode of Remembrance is regularly recited at memorial services commemorating the First World War around Australia, including ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day.

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse features a coloured image of a Fallen Soldier Battle Cross with the sun rising in the background. The image is framed by a list of words and phrases, and the names of battlefields and cemeteries, associated with the First World War. The design includes The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark.

PACKAGING: Each coin will be presented in a black and red themed display case featuring the words PRIDE, RESPECT, and GRATITUDE on the outside of the case, within a themed shipper, and accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

Designed by Wade Robinson, this silver coin sells for $1590.91 for non-Australians.

SPECIFICATION

MAP-SHAPED WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The seventh coin from the popular Australian Map Shaped Coin Series features the Wedge-tailed Eagle, which is Australia’s largest bird of prey and one of the biggest eagles in the world.

Found throughout mainland Australia, Tasmania and southern New Guinea, the Wedge-tailed Eagle has a wingspan of up to 2.7 metres, and displays a long, wedge-shaped tail and feathered legs.

DESIGN: The coin’s unique map shaped, coloured reverse depicts a Wedge-tailed Eagle in mid-flight above a river, with mountains in the background. The design includes the inscription WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE, The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark, and the 2015 year-date.

PACKAGING: The coin is housed in a grey presentation case and custom-designed shipper. Each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

Designed by Ing Ing Jong, it sells for $94.55 AUD before tax.

SPECIFICATION

2015 WEDDING SILVER PROOF

MINTS DESCRIPTION

A wedding is a time for celebration and love, a time to rejoice in the joining of two people in matrimony before embarking on the next chapter of their lives together.

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse depicts a bride and groom embracing on their wedding day with two intertwined gold wedding rings. The design includes the inscription CONGRATULATIONS, and The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark.

PACKAGING: Each coin will be presented in a prestigious white glossy box with a beautiful heart-shaped crystal on the lid, within an illustrated shipper, and accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

Designed by Jennifer McKenna, the mint-to-ordercoin sells for $94.55 AUD (plus taxes)

SPECIFICATION