Without doubt the big releases this month from the Perth Mint are all Star Trek themed, but there’s still quite a lot else on offer, particularly gold. Eight coins in total, but with one exception, they’re all proof versions of this Australian mint’s prolific bullion output. That one exception is a colourful coin aimed at the gift market, the younger collector in particular. It’s the latest Cubs coin and actually a nice piece of art by Gods of Olympus designer, Tom Vaughan.

The other seven are higher end versions of lower end coins. There’s a 2 oz high relief gold version of the second of the John Mercanti designed Wedge-tailed Eagles. While not quite up to the standard of the first Mercanti eagle, it remains a beautiful coin and this is , in our view, the best version. There’s a 1 oz silver high-relief Kangaroo coin and a near-4g Australian Half-Sovereign, both designs seen previously.

The final four coins are proof gold versions of the 2016 Koala bullion coin. The two largest are struck in high relief, the two fractionals in a standard proof finish. Again, we reckon the high-relief coins are the best versions of these design, but obviously there’s a price to pay.

All the coins are available to purchase now from either the Perth Mint website, or from one of their myriad dealers worldwide.

The Perth Mint is pleased to present the 2016 Australian Koala Gold Proof Coin Series, featuring one of Australia’s most loved marsupials.
Struck by The Perth Mint from 99.99% pure gold in proof quality, the series comprises a 2oz high relief coin, a 1oz high relief coin, a 1/4oz coin, and a 1/10oz coin.

The Perth Mint will release no more than 150 2oz high relief coins ($5150.00 AUD), 500 1oz high relief coins ($2699.00 AUD), 1,000 1/4oz coins ($699.00 AUD)and 1,500 1/10oz coins ($299.00 AUD).

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse depicts an adult koala walking along a branch of a eucalyptus tree. The design includes the inscription AUSTRALIAN KOALA, The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark, and the 2016 year-date. Designer: Ing Ing Jong.

PACKAGING: Each coin is presented in a prestigious display case within an illustrated shipper and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

The kangaroo is the largest marsupial surviving on earth today. The animal’s distinctive style of movement, hopping on its hind legs whilst using its large, muscular tail for balance, means it is one of the only animals which is unable to move backwards easily. An unofficial symbol of Australia, the kangaroo features in the Australian national emblem alongside the emu.

The Perth Mint will release no more than 18,000 of the 2016 Australian Kangaroo 1oz Silver Proof High Relief Coin in this packaging out of a maximum worldwide mintage of 20,000. $109.00 AUD

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse depicts an adult kangaroo resting on its haunches with the silhouette of another kangaroo in the background. The design includes the inscription AUSTRALIAN KANGAROO, The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark, and the 2016 year-date. Designer: Ing Ing Jong.

PACKAGING: The coin is housed in a classic grey display case within an illustrated shipper, and accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

The discovery of payable gold in the colony of New South Wales in 1851 lay behind the establishment of the Sydney branch of the Royal Mint, which opened on 14 May 1855. The Sydney Mint produced its first Type I sovereign, featuring a unique ‘colonial’ design, on 23 June. There ensued an unbroken 76-year history of gold sovereign production in Australia, with more than 400 million coins created in Sydney and at branches later opened in Melbourne and Perth.

The Perth Mint will release no more than 1,500 of the 2016 Australia Half Sovereign Gold Proof Coin. $399.00 AUD

DESIGN: The commemorative 2016 Australia Half Sovereign portrays St Edwards crown, a laurel wreath and the word AUSTRALIA, historic elements of Leonard Charles Wyon’s original Type I reverse. The modern tribute also includes the inscriptions PERTH MINT and HALF  SOVEREIGN. Designer: Ing Ing Jong.

PACKAGING: The coin is housed in a prestigious wooden presentation case within a superbly illustrated shipper, and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

These rare, beautiful leopards live in the steep and rocky alpine regions of Central Asia. They are insulated by thick hair, and their wide, fur-covered feet act as natural snowshoes. Snow leopards have powerful legs and they are able to jump as far as 15 meters. They use their long tails for balance and as blankets to cover sensitive body parts against the severe mountain chill.

The Perth Mint will release no more than 5,000 of The Cubs – Snow Leopard Cubs 2016 1/2oz Silver Proof Coin. $65.00 AUD

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse features two coloured snow leopard cubs in the mountains in Central Asia. The inscription CUBS and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark also appear in the design. Designer: Tom Vaughan

PACKAGING: This coin is housed in a classic Perth Mint presentation case within a themed, customised shipper and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. Display box, a superb way to protect and present all five coin cases in their illustrated shippers, this series display box comprises an easy-to-assemble polypropylene charcoal tray and a transparent sleeve ($7.15 AUD).

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The Wedge-Tailed Eagle 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 WedgeTailed Eagle has a wingspan of up to 2.7 metres, and displays a long, wedge-shaped tail and feathered legs.

This majestic bird is known to soar through the sky for hours on end, frequently reaching altitudes of up to 2,000 metres. In the heat of the day, the eagle makes use of hot thermal air currents that drift up from the ground to reach these dizzying heights, whilst expending little energy.

No more than 500 of these coins will be released worldwide. $5150.00 AUD

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse depicts an impressive Wedge-tailed Eagle perching on a tree branch. The design also includes the inscription AUSTRALIAN WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE, the 2016 year-date and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. Designer: John Mercanti

PACKAGING: This coin is housed in a wooden Perth Mint presentation case within a themed, customised shipper and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.