The Australian one-ounce gold piece (abbreviated as 1 oz and designated with Au for "gold") is a bullion coin format. Uniquely, 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.
The Mint says: This intriguing 1oz gold bullion coin celebrates Australia’s most famous gold mine with 100% of the gold contained in the release guaranteed to have been sourced from the legendary Super Pit mine.
The Super Pit dates back to one of the most significant gold rushes in the nation’s history. Abundant finds in rural Western Australia during the 1890s included the celebrated Golden Mile near the mining town of Kalgoorlie, which is now home to the gigantic open cut mine. At almost 3.5 kilometres long, 1.5 kilometres wide and more than 600 metres deep, the Super Pit produces approximately 700,000 ounces of gold each year. |