| Coin | Gold Fifth-Ounce 2008 Kangaroo at Sunset |
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The Australian fifth-ounce gold piece is a small and not often used commemorative coin format with a face value of twenty-five dollars. These are Non-Circulating Legal Tender coins and not bullion, because they are distributed at prices much higher than the intrinsic value of their precious metal content.
In Australia there are two mints authorised to strike legal tender: the Royal Australian Mint (which also makes the country's circulating coinage) and the Perth Mint which only makes collector and bullion coins, as well as other bullion products. Both mints endeavour to create coins with attractive designs, and to introduce new designs and themes often, in order to raise the numismatic value of the coins over the value of previous metal used.
This coin is part of the the long-running Kangaroo at Sunset series by the Royal Australian Mint.
The reverse of the Kangaroo at Sunset bears the striking design by award-winning coin sculptor Wojciech Pietranik featuring a lone kangaroo bounding across the vast Australian outback, its silhouette casting a lengthening shadow in the setting sun. It is a breathtakingly simple, yet hauntingly beautiful design that resonates with coin collectors around the world. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend, the date of issue and the value: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2008 · 25 DOLLARS ·.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin shows a lonely kangaroo crossing the Australian outback at sunset, casting a long shadow into the lower part of the design. The ground has a frosted finish.
Around left, the precious metal content 1/5 oz .9999 Au (one fifth of a troy ounce of 99.99% gold; Au is abbreviated from the Latin word for silver, Aurum). Below the horizon line on the right, the designer's monogram WP (for Wojciech PietranikWojciech Pietranik).
There is no other inscription. The face value and date of issue are on the obverse. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
1/5 oz .9999 Au |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: proof
Packaging: in luxury timber presentation box, with a Certificate of Authenticity. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Kangaroo at Sunset series include:
- 1 oz Gold ($100), Kangaroo at Sunset 2017
- 1/5 oz Gold ($25), Kangaroo at Sunset 2007
- 1/5 oz Gold ($25), Kangaroo at Sunset 2008
- 1/5 oz Gold ($25), Kangaroo at Sunset 2009
- 1/5 oz Gold ($25), Kangaroo at Sunset 2010
- 1/5 oz Gold ($25), Kangaroo at Sunset 2011
- 1/5 oz Gold ($25), Kangaroo at Sunset 2012
- 1/5 oz Gold ($25), Kangaroo at Sunset 2013
- 1/5 oz Gold ($25), Kangaroo at Sunset 2014
- 1/5 oz Gold ($25), Kangaroo at Sunset 2015
- 1/5 oz Gold ($25), Kangaroo at Sunset 2016
- 1/5 oz Gold ($25), Kangaroo at Sunset 2017
- 1/5 oz Gold ($25), Kangaroo at Sunset 2018
- 1/5 oz Gold ($25), Kangaroo at Sunset 2019
- 1 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2009
- 1 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2010
- 1 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2011
- 1 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2012
- 1 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2013
- 1 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2014
- 1 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2015
- 1 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2016
- 1 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2017
- 1 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2018
- 1 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2019
- 1/5 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2010
- 1/5 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2011
- 1/5 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2012
- 1/5 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2013
- 1/5 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2014
- 1/5 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2015
- 1/5 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2016
- 1/5 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2017
- 1/5 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2018
- 1/5 oz Silver ($1), Kangaroo at Sunset 2019
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Search for Australia: Gold Fifth-Ounce 2008 Kangaroo at Sunset on eBay 