LIMITED NON-CORE BULLION COIN SERIES by the Perth Mint I think few would disagree with the observation that the last few years has seen a virtual explosion in new bullion coin releases. Whereas we used to have a base of big guns, like the American Eagle and the Maple Leaf, and a scattering of smaller mintage coins (Somali Elephant, Rwandan African Ounce, etc), we now have a huge selection of low mintage issues, often with attractive, annually changing designs. It's arguably the Perth Mint that laid the groundwork, with its combination of highish [...]

LIMITED SILVER BULLION SERIES by Scottsdale Mint One of the most prolific and inventive producers of silver and gold bullion coins today, Scottsdale Mint release a wide range of such coins, mostly with a relatively restricted mintage, and most with a design that changes for every issue. Keeping up with the various series and individual issues is a task in itself, so we've put together this overview of the output of legal tender bullion coins from the last few years. Now, this isn't a full on Bullion Coin Profile that we do elsewhere, and [...]

2017+ CHINESE MYTHOLOGY by the Perth Mint Similar in theme to their Rectangular Dragon bullion series, one that ironically started around the same time, the Perth Mint's 'Chinese Mythology' series pairs the legendary Chinese dragon with another powerful beast - real or imagined - and has now reached the three issue mark. Like the rectangular series, this one is also available in both silver and gold, although with an extra goody thrown into the mix. The style here is consistent and has at its centre the iconic flaming pearl of Chinese mythology. Two creatures [...]

AUSTRALIAN EMU (2018+) by the Perth Mint Never let it be said that the Perth Mint doesn't know how to do a bullion coin featuring one of the wild and wonderful creatures that populate their homeland. Building a solid reputation on the backs of their now seminal Koala, Kookaburra and Kangaroo ranges, they've branched out with renewed vigour into the limited mintage bullion market with a range of distributor exclusive series. This one here is handled by Metal Market EU in Europe and is called 'Australian Emu'. Launched in 2018, it's recently enjoyed a [...]

AUSTRALIAN SHIPWRECKS (2019-2021) by the Royal Australian Mint Quite the surprise on its debut, the Royal Australian Mint's new Australian Shipwrecks bullion coin featured a couple of design choices not normally associated with this traditionally conservativbe mint. Quite apart from the fact the RAM had only recently jumped into the bullion market with both feet, after years of just dabbling, the choice of a triangular format was a brave one. The first time we've seen a triangular denominated bullion coin from anyone, that alone gives this series some kudos amongst collectors. The theme of [...]

TOKELAU SEALIFE (2014) by Highland Mint A twelve-coin bullion series that issues a single design every year, Tokelau Sealife debuted in 2014 to a mixed reception. Buyers seemed to like the design, but there were soon comments regarding the quality of the prooflike coin circulating around the forums. This resulted in a change to a satin finish, seen as a way of minimising the look of flaws. Fortunately, the series quality picked up rapidly, keeping the satin finish until 2020, and while these are not struck to the same standard as a Perth Mint bullion [...]

2016+ CHISELLED EDGE ANCIENTS by Scottsdale Mint While we often see new and unusual subjects on modern bullion coins, we don't often see something different in the format sense. In 2016, Scottsdale Mint debuted the first of its new Egyptian Relics series. These were quite unlike anything else on the legal tender market. Available initially only in a five-ounce format, they keep a diameter similar to a standard one ounce coin, choosing to employ all the extra weight on increasing the thickness. There's nothing unusual in that, of course, but instead of a standard [...]

2018+ RECTANGULAR DRAGONS by the Perth Mint We think it's fair to say that the selection of bullion coins available to purchase these days has never been more diverse, or of so high a quality. As well as the usual big players, a wide range of small producers are either issuing their own, or commissioning new designs from the major mints. It can be a little overwhelming and many complain, but it's all about choice, and that's rarely a bad thing. A producer intimately woven through the bullion market is the Western Australian based [...]

2017+ DISNEY BULLION by New Zealand Mint Much like the popular Star Wars bullion coin range from the New Zealand Mint, Disney, that franchises parent company, has also seen a range of bullion issues over the last couple of years from the same mint. This showcases their own characters, rather than those bought in from Lucasfilm when it took over George Lucas's iconic science-fiction universe, or from Marvel. There's virtually no difference in the specifications between Disney and Star Wars, so collectors can quite happily interchange between the two if they so wish. A [...]

2017- STAR WARS BULLION by New Zealand Mint Along with the Perth Mint;s Marvel Superheroes series and the NZ Mint's own Disney coins, Star Wars has made the transition from proof commemorative to bullion with some success. With the recent launch of a fifth coin, it's clear that buyers want more than the usual nature and national personification on their bullion. To be honest, these will have an enhanced appeal to the more youthful collector, and that is certainly a good thing for the market. Launching in 2017, the series debuted with the biggest [...]