| Coin | Gold Ounce 2023 Australian Swan |
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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 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 Australian Swan is a limited mintage bullion coin series normally featuring elegant designs of Cygnus atratus, graceful inhabitants of the southeast and southwest regions of Australia. The 2023 design however portrays a white swan.
Although black swans are closely associated with Western Australia, the historic town of Northam on the Avon River (a tributary of the Swan River) boasts a bevy of white swans. Said to be the only place in Australia where they breed naturally in the wild, the majestic birds were introduced by settlers in 1896. |
| Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Total Mintage | 5,000 |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait" worldwide but "Sixth Portrait" in Australia, where the Queen's portrait by Vladimir Gottwald was fifth).
The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen mother) in 1937.
Unlike on British coinage, the effigy is "uncouped" (includes the Queen's shoulders). In small letters on the left, the artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously around the rim is the monarch's legend, the date of issue and the face value: ELIZABETH II 1952 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA 2023 · 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 | |
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The reverse design portrays a white swan in a serene wetland environment.
The inscription around the rim reads THE 1oz 9999 AUSTRALIAN GOLD SWAN. The background extends to the rim, going "below" the band with the inscription.
The P mint mark of the Perth Mint is in the right field just above the water. The designer's initials AH (for Aleysha Howarth) are on the left, just below the water line. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
THE 1oz 9999 AUSTRALIAN GOLD SWAN |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Gold content (Troy oz): 1.000
Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated).
Packaging: in acrylic capsule.
Perth Mint SKU: 23018DAAX
Date of issue: 18 April 2023
Issue price: AU$ 3,136.18.
For additional peace of mind, the coin incorporates an authentication feature in the form of a micro-laser engraved letter. Detectable under a magnifying glass, it is designed to make it significantly more difficult for the coin to be counterfeited.
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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