Another interesting mix from the Perth Mint this month. Beautiful High Relief versions of the gold 2015 Kangaroo (2oz) and the silver 2015 Koala (5oz) are out now, both probably representing the definitive looking variants of these designs. The dished faces of these coins combined with the deeper strke makes these the lookers of their respective ranges for us. The Ing Ing Jong designed Koala will sell for $485.00 AUD, with the Wade Robinson designed Kangaroo going for a healthy $5’099.00 AUD.

The Australian Map-shaped coin series gets its second and final release of 2015, and its eighth overall, with a fine depiction of the Redback Spider. This has always been quite a popular series of wildlife coins and see no reason why this one shouldn’t carry that on. The Ing Ing Jong designed coin sells for $109.00 AUD.

Next up is a Christmas coin, and the mint has borrowed the New Zealand Mints idea of having the coin in a capsule that can be hung from a tree. A nice shape, but unadventurous design would be our description for it. The NZ Mints Disney-themed coins like this are still the top hangers for us. Designed by Gods of Olympus artist Tom Vaughan, it wll sell for $109.00 AUD.

Lastly is a very nice Five Blessings coin with a pretty cool reverse face design on it. Depicting an aspect of Chinese culture, the very stylistic Five Bats design is very nicely done and happily devoid of unnecessary colouring. Aleysha Howarth has done a great job with this one, and at $69.00 AUD, it’s reasonably priced as well. The Perth Mint should do more coins like this.

All the coins are available to order now from the Perth Mint website, or from one of the many dealers they have worldwide.

2015 MAP-SHAPED COIN: REDBACK SPIDER

The eighth coin from the popular Australian Map Shaped Coin Series features the Redback Spider, which is a species of highly venomous spider indigenous to Australia.

Characterised by a distinctive red stripe on the upper side of the abdomen, the adult Redback has a spherical black body. Females are bigger than the males at approximately 10 millimetres in length compared to three to four millimetres.

DESIGN: The coin’s coloured reverse depicts a Redback Spider crawling across the face of a rock. The design includes the inscription REDBACK SPIDER, The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark, and the 2015 year-date. The coin is innovatively struck in the shape of Australia.

The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the monetary denomination, and the 2015 year-date appear on the coin’s obverse.

PACKAGING: The coin is housed in a grey presentation case and custom-designed shipper. Each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

SPECIFICATION

2015 KOALA 5oz SILVER HIGH RELIEF

The koala is a well-known marsupial of Australia. Being nocturnal, this unique animal takes refuge from the harsh southern sun and is able to graze on gum leaves by living in eucalypt forests.

Although they live in societies, individual koalas are territorial of their home range of trees, which provide them with food, shelter and places for social contact.

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse depicts an adult koala sitting in the fork of a eucalyptus tree, amid a rural landscape. The design includes the inscription AUSTRALIAN KOALA, The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark, and the 2015 year-date.

The Ian Rank-Broadley 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: Each coin is housed in a classic grey display case with a specially designed illustrated shipper and accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

SPECIFICATION

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2015 KANGAROO GOLD 2oz HIGH RELIEF

The Perth Mint is pleased to present the stunning 2oz Australian Kangaroo Gold Proof High Relief Coin, featuring the kangaroo, 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.

DESIGN: The coin’s reverse depicts an adult kangaroo bounding across an Australian landscape at dusk, with the moon and trees in the background. The design includes the inscription AUSTRALIAN KANGAROO, The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark, and the 2015 year-date.

The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 201 6 year-date and the monetary denomination are shown on the obverse of each coin.

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

SPECIFICATION

2015 STAR SHAPED CHRISTMAS COIN

The modern day Christmas tree is said to have originated in the 16th century in Germany. Devout Christians brought Christmas trees into their home, adorning them with traditional decorations that were mostly edible including apples, nuts, and biscuits.

Struck by The Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality, each coin is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965. This is the first star shaped coin issued as Australian legal tender.

DESIGN: The star shaped coin’s reverse features a snow covered Christmas tree in colour with a shining star on top against a backdrop of a forest. The inscription MERRY CHRISTMAS and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark also feature in the design.

The coin’s obverse depicts the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the monetary denomination, and the 2015 year-date.

PACKAGING: Each coin is housed in a special star-shaped capsule with a hole for a ribbon to be tied, so the coin can be hung as a Christmas tree decoration. Presented in a delightful gift card, this coin is the perfect festive gift.

SPECIFICATION

2016 FIVE BLESSINGS

According to Chinese culture, when five bats are depicted together it is said to be a visual representation of the Five Blessings which include longevity, wealth, health and composure, virtue, and the desire to die a natural death in old age.

A popular design often seen on Chinese charms is that of five bats surrounding the character for ‘fu’ meaning prosperity, together with a border of peach motifs, symbolising longevity and immortality, and peonies, representing royalty, virtue, wealth and honour.

DESIGN: The reverse of the coin features five bats surrounding the Chinese character for ‘fu’, together with a mix of peonies and peach motifs. The design also features the inscription FIVE BLESSINGS and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.

The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the monetary denomination, and the 2016 year-date are shown on the coin’s obverse.

PACKAGING: The coin is housed in a grey presentation case and custom-designed shipper. Each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

SPECIFICATION