While we’re used to high-end variants of the Perth Mints many bullion coin designs every year, it isn’t often that there are many surprises in the release schedule. After the bullion version usually comes proof, coloured, gilded, high-relief, or even the ocassional antique version. For a new version of the 2016 Wedge-tailed Eagle (WTE) design we have something truly new for the mint.

We often think of bimetallic as being used for the low-end copper-nickel circulating coins, but there are othertypes that the description fits perfectly. The Royal Mint will often issue proof commemoratives that use yellow gold and rose gold to replicate the bimetallic British £2 coin, but mixed silver and gold coins are altogether rarer. For this new WTE coin, the mint has gone with ½oz of silver surrounding ½oz of gold, creating a classic high-contrast look.

The superb John Mercanti designed eagle artwork is limited to the small gold centre, with all of the inscriptions kept away from it by basing them in the silver surround. It works well. There will only be 750 of these well presented coins available, and at $1599.00 AUD they’re not bargain basement, but it’s a desirable coin if early buzz is any indicator.

Also out are the usual pair of five-ounce high-relief variants of the same original design. These are generally though of as being the best looking versions of this design and we agree wholeheartedly. The gold will sell for $12,995 and have a mintage limited to 150 units. The silver is a much more reasonable $495.00, no doubt linked to a pretty high mintage of 5,000 for a coin of this format. Both are beautiful pieces and available to order today.

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,  edge-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.

The Wedge-Tailed Eagle can be found from sea level areas to alpine regions, though they favour forested land and open country, to rainforests and coastal heaths. They can often be seen perched in trees and on rocks and cliffs, from where they have a clear view of their surroundings, enabling them to defend their territory and identify prey.

BIMETAL REVERSE: The coin’s gold centrepiece depicts an impressive Wedge-tailed Eagle perching on a tree branch, surrounded by a silver border featuring the inscription AUSTRALIAN WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE, the 2016 year-date and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.

HR REVERSE: 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.

OBVERSE: The coin’s obverse depicts the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination.

PRESENTATION: The bimetal and gold coins are housed in a prestigious wooden display case within a themed, customised shipper and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. The silver coin is housed in a classic Perth Mint presentation case with a themed, customised shipper and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.