Perth Mint expands its bullion coin range with a new Bird of Paradise series in gold and silver
After decades of issuing bullion coins in their Koala, Kookaburra and Lunar Animal ranges, the Perth Mint has considerably expanded its offerings over the last couple of years, with the rate of diversification seemingly gathering steam. A few of the new issues have captured collectors imaginations and shown impressive appreciation in a short amount of time. The Australian Swan coin from last year is a noteworthy example and that series is clearly hugely desirable given the frenzy around the 2018 entrant, and the Australian Emu was another recent highlight.
Never one to abandon a good thing, the mint has launched another Australian Wildlife themed bullion coin series and if the first coin is an indicator it will be one worth watching. Called Australian Bird of Paradise, it depicts a Victoria’s Riflebird perched on a branch and calling out with its wings outstretched. A very pretty design by in-house artist Jennifer McKenna is surrounded by a border carrying title and composition inscriptions.
Available in one-ounce gold or one-ounce silver formats, the design, apart from the obvious inscription differences, remains fundamentally the same. The silver coin has a mintage limited to 50,000 pieces and the gold 5,000. All come encapsulated but without other packaging, just as you’d expect of a bullion coin.
The coins are distributed in partnership between Auragentum and LPM-HK and can be purchased from these companies today. A great debut for another fine Perth Mint bullion coin series with a nature theme. They do seem to be rather good at them. Proof versions should be available in late 2018/early 2019.
MINTS DESCRIPTION
The bird of paradise is famously associated with the island of New Guinea, where its beautiful plumes are used as currency by local tribes and worn as adornments during cultural ceremonies.
A remarkable example is Victoria’s riflebird. Known as the ‘duwuduwu’ to the indigenous Yidinji people, it was recorded by Scottish naturalist John Macgillivray in 1848 and subsequently named after the reigning UK monarch, Queen Victoria. In colour, the male bird’s similarity to the uniforms of contemporary British riflemen is the purported reason for its common title.
Predominantly velvety black, the plumage includes areas of iridescent greenish blue, purple and bronze which are used to showy effect during its theatrical courtship dance. This flamboyant display involves a series of initial nodding, weaving and flapping movements. As a dramatic finale, the bird holds its head high while arching its wings skyward in a dramatic appeal for a mate.
Each coin is struck by The Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.99% pure silver or gold, and issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965. The Perth Mint will release no more than 50,000 of the Australian Bird of Paradise 2018 1oz Silver Bullion Coin and 5,000 of the Australian Bird of Paradise 2018 1oz Gold Bullion Coin.
DESIGN: The coin’s reverse depicts a representation of a Victoria’s Riflebird perched on a branch with its wings outstretched and its mouth wide open. The design includes the inscription AUSTRALIAN BIRD OF PARADISE and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the monetary denomination and the 2018 year-date are depicted on the coin’s obverse.
| SPECIFICATION | ||
| DENOMINATION | $1 Australian | $100 Australian |
| COMPOSITION | 0.9999 silver | 0.9999 gold |
| WEIGHT | 31.107 grams | 31.107 grams |
| DIMENSIONS | 40.6 mm | 32.6 mm |
| FINISH | Brilliant uncirculated | Brilliant uncirculated |
| MODIFICATIONS | None | None |
| MINTAGE | 50,000 | 5,000 |
| BOX / COA | No / No | No / No |
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