Native to Australia, and for once not being violent, poisonous, or venomous, the Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus) is so-named because of its increased visibility around Christmas time (they have summer weather at this time in the Southern Hemisphere). They’re part of the wider Scarab family, and grow to a large 20-30 mm in length, some species exhibiting irridescent colouration. They eat eucalyptus, meaning they’re probably not getting Christmas presents from Koala’s!

Melbourne Coins latest is another welcome release for the affordable end of the market, being a 30 gram copper coin that is silver-plated, antiqued, and impressively coloured. Indeed, you’d be hard pushed to note this is a $40 AUD coin at all. The first in a three-coin series to include the Botany Bay Diamond Weevil, and the gorgeous Peacock Spider, it’s a fine depiction with a neat irridescent colouring, and will be instantly recognisable to Aussies who heard it scrambling about and were relieved to not see a Sydney Funnel-Web Spider. . .

The packaging isn’t compromised either, with an attractively themed blistercard holding the coin, on the back of which is the serialised Certificate of Authenticity, marking which of the 999 struck you have. We have a lot of time for coins like this, offering uncompromised production value at affordable prices, helping to attract the next generation of collectors. Available to pre-order now.