Coin | Gold Ounce 2023 Australian Koala |
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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 independently 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 issue coins featuring the koala - one of the most famous and distinctive animals native to Australia; the reverse design change every year. The gold one-ounce coins have a face value of 100 dollars, but this is only symbolic - as the bullion value of their precious metal content is much higher. The overall weight is slightly more than one ounce, so that the pure gold content is exactly 1.000 AGW (one troy ounce Absolute Gold Weight).
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Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Total Mintage |
200
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Obverse | |
The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown and the Victoria Coronation necklace worn for her Coronation. This is her effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait" worldwide and "Sixth Portrait" in Australia, in "uncouped" version - showing the Queen's shoulders and not terminating at the neck as the normal version.
On the left, in small letters on the Queen's shoulder, the artist's initials J.C (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously around the rim is the monarch's legend and the face value: ELIZABETH II 1952 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA · 100 DOLLARS ·.
The legend is interrupted by the "memorial" inclusion of the dates of the Queen's reign, 1952 - 2022. |
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Reverse | |
The coin’s reverse depicts a koala climbing a tree, with her baby (called a "joey") riding on her back.
On the left, the Perth Mint's mint mark P. On the tree trunk, to the right of the koala, the designer's initials IJ, for Ing Ing Jong.
Around above left, the date of issue and the precious metal content: 2023 1oz 9999 GOLD (one troy ounce of 99.99% gold). Around above right, the inscription KOALA. |
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Reverse Inscription |
2023 1oz 9999 GOLD KOALA |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Gold content (Troy oz): 1.000 Finish: Proof FDC, high relief. Packaging: accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity, the coin is housed in a classic display case with a black timber lid and stylish shipper. Perth Mint SKU: 23317DAAA. Mintage limited to 200, sold out.
The coins were issued during the reign of King Charles III; however, as his effigy was not expected to be approved for use in Australia until late in the year, they feature a "memorial" obverse with the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the dates of her reign, 1952 - 2022. |
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