2015+ ESOTERIC CENTRES ANTIQUED by the Perth Mint

This guide is a little different to our others in that the subject isn’t strictly a consistent series, but a looser collection with a similar design ethos. The two-ounce antique-finished coin has been popular since the Perth Mint issued the first in its Gods of Olympus series – Zeus – back in 2014. The following year, the mint applied the format to something new and different, with its homage to Alice in Wonderland.

Each of the coins below has a similar base format, an antique finished coin, with a thematic border, and a centrepiece containing an object associated with the theme of the piece. In the case of Alice in Wonderland, it was a functional gilded timepiece, exquisitely done and perfectly judged for the topic at hand. Others have completely different centres.

There are some loose groupings within the scope of this guide. You could group Alice with Compass, Thermometer and Abacus as carrying functional items. Yin Yang, Dragon & Pearl, Good Luck, and Lunar Mouse all have Asian cultural themes, with a 1oz weight and rotating centres. First Flight, Ancient Egypt, and Endeavour 1770 are all historical and contain ‘floating’ items in one form or another.

I felt this was a collection of coins that needed bringing together in a single guide, especially as little association exists elsewhere. There are some terrific designs in amongst this lot, even if they can be perceived as gimmicky in some quarters. The Alice coin that kicked it off is particularly on point, but we’d judge all of them to be excellent in their own right. The quality of the packaging on many of these, particularly the Ancient Egyptian coin, is well realised. Some still have the standard grey snapper case, sadly (generally the 1oz coins).

We’ve seen a few of these in hand and they’re pretty nice pieces. Not one for the stacker, of course, but we’re sure most will find at least one they would like. We’ve added our own video of the Compass coin for your viewing, but play it at your peril, as you won’t get the damn music out of your head for days…

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL TWO-OUNCE RANGE

2015 ALICE IN WONDERLAND

REVERSE BORDER: By Natasha Muhl. Depicts Alice, the Cheshire cat, and several playing cards and symbols around the edge.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border that circles the back, which features a rose pattern, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: A gilded clock, with the White Rabbit featured on the face, and surrounded by the inscription ‘Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!’ A quote from the book, “Oh my ears and whiskers, how late it’s getting!” is also included on the back of the clock in a spiral form.

PACKAGING: Latex frame, with a themed border.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$2 Tuvalu 62.2g (0.999) 45.5 mm 2,500

2017 COMPASS

REVERSE BORDER: By Aleysha Howarth. Depicts an interpretation of an ancient world map, with mythical sea creatures included in the design.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border that circles the back, which features a star pattern, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: A gilded compass, surrounded by a border rim decorated with the four cardinal points – north, south, east, and west.

PACKAGING: Standard grey snapper case.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$2 Tuvalu 62.2g (0.999) 45.5 mm 2,500

2018 THERMOMETER

REVERSE BORDER: By Lucas Bowes. Depicts Aztec-style iconography based on their agricultural/solar calendar. The fire-breathing sun god Tonatiuh is at the top holding an arrow and a flaming torch, and wearing flame earrings. At the bottom is Itztlacoliuhqui, the god of cold, breathing frost and carrying an arrow. On the left, or cold side is an Aztec, stylised snowflake. Opposite is a similarly styled depiction of the sun’s rays.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border which features an Aztec-style pattern, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: An operational dial thermometer including both Celcius and Fahrenheit scales. The thermometer’s face portrays an Aztec-style sun

PACKAGING: Standard grey snapper case.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$2 Tuvalu 62.2g (0.9999) 45.5 mm 2,500

2019 FIRST FLIGHT FROM UK TO OZ

REVERSE BORDER: By Jennifer McKenna. 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 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.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border with a pattern of lines portraying wind and movement, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: A propeller insert

PACKAGING: Latex frame.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$2 Tuvalu 62.2g (0.9999) 45.5 mm 2,000

2019 ABACUS

REVERSE BORDER: By Natasha Muhl. Depicts travellers riding camels along the Silk Road. Items that were typically traded such as pottery, textiles, fruit, paper, fragrances and spices are represented in the foreground.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border with a pattern of abacus counting beads, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: An abacus insert

PACKAGING: Latex frame.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$2 Tuvalu 62.2g (0.9999) 45.5 mm 2,500

2019 GOLDEN TREASURES OF ANCIENT EGYPT

REVERSE BORDER: By Aleysha Howarth. Depicts representations of Egyptian hieroglyphics and symbols. These include sacred images denoting protection, eternal life and royalty such as the Eye of Horus, a pyramid, a vase, the goddess Isis, a falcon, an ankh hieroglyph representing life, a sarcophagus and a scarab.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border with a pattern of ankhs, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: Features gold particles encased in Perspex.

PACKAGING: A pyramid shaped display case, the top of which opens to reveal the coin. The surface of the pyramid is decorated by hieroglyphics and features a coloured winged scarab beetle design.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$2 Tuvalu 62.2g (0.9999) 45.5 mm 2,500

2020 VOYAGE OF THE ENDEAVOUR 1770

REVERSE BORDER: By Lucas Bowers. Depicts a representation of HM Bark Endeavour against an outline of the east coast of Australia. Depicted in the background are various flora including Banksia, named after Joseph Banks, and wattle. Also included in the design is a representation of a compass.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border with a compass rose marked with mid-points, and the Jody Clark effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: Features a gilded ships wheel.

PACKAGING: A clear acrylic fronted display box.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$2 Tuvalu 62.2g (0.9999) 45.5 mm 1,770

2021 TEARS OF THE MOON

REVERSE BORDER: By Natasha Muhl. Portrays an artistic impression of Mama Quilla and her animal adversaries. Goddess of the Moon, Mama Quilla was an important deity for the people of the Inca Empire, which flourished in the Andes region of South America from the 12th century AD until the Spanish conquest of the 1500s.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border with a circular pattern of Inca crosses (chakana), and the Jody Clark effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: Features silver particles in mineral oil, encased in Perspex.

PACKAGING: A case shaped like a stylised Mama Quilla’s face. Her lower lip opens like a drawer to display the coin.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$2 Tuvalu 62.2g (0.9999) 45.5 mm 2,500

2021 HOURGLASS

REVERSE BORDER: By Natasha Muhl. Portrays an astrological design incorporating sinuous, organic lines characteristic of art nouveau. It includes stylised representations of the sun and moon with facial features, and phases of the moon – waxing, full and waning – embodying the passing of time.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border with a circular pattern of stars, and the Jody Clark effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: Features a central insert of a miniature hourglass.

PACKAGING: A clear acrylic fronted display box.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$2 Tuvalu 62.2g (0.9999) 45.6 mm 2,500

2022 GAMES THROUGH THE AGES

REVERSE BORDER: By Sean Rogers. Depicts game-related motifs within a ring of circles. Clockwise from the top, they symbolise playing cards, dominoes, a spinning dice, chess, snakes and ladders, terni lapilli, mahjong, draughts, knucklebones, backgammon, and dice.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border with a Christmas floral wreath, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: Features a 24-carat plated stainless steel insert representing noughts and crosses, also known as tic-tac-toe.

PACKAGING: A clear acrylic fronted display box.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$2 Tuvalu 62.2g (0.9999) 45.6 mm 2,500

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY RANGE

2021 CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

REVERSE BORDER: By Natasha Muhl. Portrays a joyous Christmas Eve scene with excited children playing in the snow. The design includes gold coloured accents signifying, among other things, light emanating from cosy homes and fairy lights on Christmas trees.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border with a circular pattern of stylised snowflakes, and the Jody Clark effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: Features a central insert of a gilded snowflake.

PACKAGING: A clear acrylic fronted display box.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$2 Tuvalu 62.2g (0.9999) 45.6 mm 2,500

2022 JINGLE BELL

REVERSE BORDER: By Sean Rogers. Portrays a Christmas wreath decorated with gold coloured decorative baubles, candy canes and Christmas berries.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border with a ribbon, and the Jody Clark effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: Features a central insert of a gilded jingle bell.

PACKAGING: A clear acrylic fronted display box.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$2 Tuvalu 62.2g (0.9999) 45.6 mm 2,500

2023 NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

REVERSE BORDER: By Jennifer Mckenna. Portrays a tree, wreath and garlands adorned with coloured baubles and ribbons, as well as a stocking, snow globes, gift-wrapped boxes, sleepy pets, and refreshments for Santa on his busiest night of the year.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border with a Christmas floral wreath, and the Jody Clark effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: Features a central insert of a gilded stocking.

PACKAGING: A clear acrylic fronted display box.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$2 Tuvalu 62.2g (0.9999) 45.6 mm 2,500

ROTATING ASIAN MYTHOLOGY RANGE

2016 YIN YANG

REVERSE BORDER: By Natasha Muhl. Depicts the five Chinese elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, with those names inscribed closer to the centre.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border that circles the back, which features a Yin Yang pattern, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: A stainless steel, black and white enamel plated yin yang rotating charm,

PACKAGING: Standard grey snapper case.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$1 Tuvalu 31.1g (0.999) 40.6 mm 3,000

2017 DRAGON AND PEARL

REVERSE BORDER: By Ing Ing Jong. Depicts two circling Chinese dragons.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border that circles the back, which features a textured pearl pattern, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: A rotating pearl charm

PACKAGING: Standard grey snapper case.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$1 Tuvalu 31.1g (0.9999) 40.6 mm 3,000

2018 GOOD LUCK CHARM

REVERSE BORDER: By Natasha Muhl. Depicts eight koi fish swimming beneath peonies. In the legend of the Dragon Gate, a koi fish swims upstream through waterfalls and other obstacles to reach the top of a mountain where the fish transforms into the revered, mystical dragon

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border that circles the back, which features a textured pearl pattern, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: A rotating yellow topaz charm

PACKAGING: Standard grey snapper case.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$1 Tuvalu 31.1g (0.9999) 40.6 mm 3,000

2020 YEAR OF THE MOUSE CHARM

REVERSE BORDER: By Natasha Muhl. Stylised mice and representations of wheat, grapes and corn, symbols of a bountiful harvest which is associated with happiness and abundance in Chinese culture.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border that circles the back, which features a textured pearl pattern, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: A gold-plated rotating charm in the shape of the first animal in the ancient Chinese lunar calendar, the mouse.

PACKAGING: Latex frame.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$1 Tuvalu 31.1g (0.9999) 40.6 mm 3,000

2021 YEAR OF THE OX CHARM

REVERSE BORDER: By Natasha Muhl. Artistic portrayals of oxen among floral motifs,

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border that circles the back, which features a textured pearl pattern, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: A gold-plated rotating charm in the shape of the second animal in the ancient Chinese lunar calendar, the ox.

PACKAGING: A clear acrylic fronted display box.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$1 Tuvalu 31.1g (0.9999) 40.6 mm 3,000

2022 YEAR OF THE TIGER CHARM

REVERSE BORDER: By Natasha Muhl. Artistic portrayals of tigers, each with stripes on its forehead representing the Chinese character for ‘king’.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border that circles the back, which features a textured pearl pattern, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: A gold-plated rotating charm in the shape of the third animal in the ancient Chinese lunar calendar, the tiger.

PACKAGING: A clear acrylic fronted display box.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$1 Tuvalu 31.1g (0.9999) 40.6 mm 3,000

2023 YEAR OF THE RABBIT CHARM

REVERSE BORDER: By Natasha Muhl. Patterned representations of rabbits among floral emblems.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border that circles the back, which features a textured pearl pattern, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: A gold-plated rotating charm in the shape of the fourth animal in the ancient Chinese lunar calendar, the rabbit.

PACKAGING: A clear acrylic fronted display box.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$1 Tuvalu 31.1g (0.9999) 40.6 mm 3,000

2024 YEAR OF THE DRAGON CHARM

REVERSE BORDER: By Natasha Muhl. Representations of a serpentine-shaped dragon, stylized clouds, and a symbolic flaming pearl.

OBVERSE BORDER: Includes a decorative border that circles the back, which features a textured pearl pattern, and the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

CENTRE FEATURE: A gold-plated rotating charm in the shape of the fifth animal in the ancient Chinese lunar calendar, the dragon.

PACKAGING: Latex frame.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS MINTAGE
$1 Tuvalu 31.1g (0.9999) 40.6 mm 3,000

PACKAGING EXAMPLES

WHERE TO BUY