A neat Jennifer McKenna designed coin showcasing the epic flight from England to Australia a century ago, its party piece is a small gilded propeller floating in a window through the centre of the coin. Struck in two ounce of silver with a mintage of 2,000 pieces, it sells for $229.00 AUD.

The first flight from England to Australia touched down in Darwin on 10 December, 1919. Piloting an open air cockpit Vickers ‘Vimy’ aircraft, Captain Ross Smith, Lieutenant Keith Smith and Sergeants Wally Shiers and James Bennett made the 17,910 kilometre flight in 28 days. The amazing feat in long-distance aviation was the catalyst to develop domestic air routes across northern Australia.

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse depicts a map with the flight’s route marked above an illustration of a mountainous landscape. In the foreground is a representation of the Vickers aircraft. The centre of the coin features a propeller inset. The design includes The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark and the inscription ‘CENTENARY OF FIRST FLIGHT’ and ‘ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA’.

The Jody Clark effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the monetary denomination, the coin’s weight and fineness, and the 2019 year-date are shown on the coin’s obverse. The propeller inset is bordered by a pattern of lines portraying wind and movement. 

PACKAGING: The coin is housed in a classic display case with a clear lid. Packaged with an illustrated shipper, each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity 

The coin series showcasing a movie not really worthy of it, especially in a year the legendary The Matrix is 20 years old, continues with the Will Smith character, Deadshot. Same MO as last time. A coloured one-ounce silver coin that is neat and decent enough for fans of the film. This is the third and last issue in this series, and carries over the same 5,000 mintage and $115.00 AUD price as its forebears.

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse design depicts a coloured image of Suicide Squad’s Deadshot in full military gear including his iconic laser eye. Behind him, an illustrated background depicts Deadshot’s stylised icon from the film. Also included in the design is the Suicide Squad logo, the inscription ‘DEADSHOT’ and the Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The coin’s obverse depicts the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the weight and fineness, the 2019 year-date and the monetary denomination.

PACKAGING: The coin is housed in a classic display case with a clear lid. Packaged within a themed shipper, each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. 

The Simpsons takes a break from the character coins (Lisa Simpson will be out next month) to launch another unusual piece. Homer Simpsons beer of choice is brought to life on a loosely beer can shaped 1oz silver coin. Apart from the shape, it’s business as usual, with a 5k mintage and the same $115.000 AUD as the character coins.

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse portrays a coloured image of a Duff beer can, Homer Simpson’s drink of choice and the most popular beer in Springfield. Included in the design is Matt Groening’s signature and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2019 year-date, the weight and fineness, and the monetary denomination are depicted on the coin’s obverse. 

PACKAGING: Each coin is presented in a clear acrylic case, allowing both sides of the coin to be displayed, and is packaged within a themed shipper. The coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. 

The bullion versions of the Perth Mint’s pretty rectangular 1oz Dragon coin have been out for a while now, and now the proof versions are joining the family.  Some 3,888 silver and just 188 gold will be struck in total, and both are identically packaged in a floating frame with a certificate and outer sleeve.

We like this design and it suits the rectangular format very well. The silver cost $99.00 AUD, and the much rarer gold, a more substantial $3,099.00 AUD.

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse portrays a Chinese dragon chasing a flaming pearl among stylised clouds. The design also includes The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The obverse features the Jody Clark effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 2019 year-date, weight and fineness, and the monetary denomination. 

PACKAGING: The coin is presented in a contemporary latex case which displays both sides of the coin and is accompanied by an illustrated shipper and a  numbered Certificate of Authenticity. 

A 1oz high relief silver version of the 2019 Koala bullion coin hits just a few weeks before the 2020 design is revealed. The usual positives and negatives, of course. The high-relief nature of the coin constrains the diameter by 8mm, but in return you get a beautiful strike of the design. A $109.00 AUD price and a 10,000 mintage.

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse design portrays one of Australia’s best-loved marsupials sitting astride a branch in a eucalyptus tree. The design includes the inscription ‘AUSTRALIAN KOALA’, The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark, the weight and fineness, and the 2019 year-date. The Jody Clark effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination are depicted on the coin’s obverse. The coin’s high relief reverse and obverse are minted on concave surfaces to ensure the optimum flow of metal is achieved by the strike of the die .

PACKAGING: The coin is housed in a classic display case with a clear lid. Packaged with an illustrated shipper, each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.