Exclusive: Australian Emu bullion series is back for a third annual issue with a proof variant in tow

One of the new raft of limited run nature-themed bullion coins to come from the Perth Mint over the last couple of years, the Australian Emu today sees the release of the third design in as many years. Like the iconic Kookaburaa and Koala bullion ranges that have been around for decades, this series focuses on a single creature and depicts it with a new design every year.

The Emu is another of those unusual creatures that seem, ironically, to be the norm in Australia, so a perfect subject for a Perth Mint bullion series. Today sees the launch of the 1oz gold bullion and the 1oz silver proof variants, with the most popular format – the 1oz silver bullion – coming next month.

Another neat design and one that is typical Perth Mint. Collectors of their longer-running series will find this one fits right in with the general aesthetic. The artist, Natasha Muhl, is a Perth Mint regular. A pair of Emus again, just like the 2019 issue, but one of the birds is depicted resting. As before, there’s plenty of habitat, so the birds aren’t simply floating in mid-air like on some other coins. We like it and it fits in with the series very well. You can see both prior releases further down. The obverse employs the newer Jody Clark effigy.

The 1oz gold bullion coin has a 5,000 mintage and is sold encapsulated. The silver proof coin, which we believe has a 3,000 mintage, comes presented in one of the mints excellent acrylic-lidded display boxes with an enclosed Certificate of Authenticity. As before, this one is exclusively distributed by Metal Market EU, although you should see the coins appear at a few other dealers as time passes. The evry popular silver bullion coin is due to drop on o1 July and we’ll take a quick look at that one then.

THE EMU

The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the second-largest living bird by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. It is endemic to Australia where it is the largest native bird and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. The emu’s range covers most of mainland Australia, but the Tasmanian, Kangaroo Island and King Island subspecies became extinct after the European settlement of Australia in 1788. The bird is sufficiently common for it to be rated as a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Emus are soft-feathered, brown, flightless birds with long necks and legs, and can reach up to 1.9 metres (6.2 ft) in height. Emus can travel great distances, and when necessary can sprint at 50 km/h (31 mph); they forage for a variety of plants and insects, but have been known to go for weeks without eating. They drink infrequently, but take in copious amounts of water when the opportunity arises.

Breeding takes place in May and June, and fighting among females for a mate is common. Females can mate several times and lay several clutches of eggs in one season. The male does the incubation; during this process he hardly eats or drinks and loses a significant amount of weight. The eggs hatch after around eight weeks, and the young are nurtured by their fathers.

They reach full size after around six months, but can remain as a family unit until the next breeding season. The emu is an important cultural icon of Australia, appearing on the coat of arms and various coins. The bird features prominently in Indigenous Australian mythology. (Wikipedia)