Gold Ounce 2023 Southern White Rhinoceros, Coin from Australia - detailed information

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The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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.

Within a plain rim, the reverse of the coin depicts an adult rhinoceros with a baby rhino in the foreground.

Above them, the inscription AUSTRALIA ZOO, below which on three lines SOUTHERN WHITE RHINOCEROS.

On the ground below left, the initials of the designer, AWB (for Adam William Ball).

In smaller letters in the exergue, the precious metal content: 1 OZ .9999 Au (one troy ounce of 99.99% gold; Au is abbreviated from the Latin word for gold, Aurum).

Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated.
Packaging: boxed, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
RAM Product Code: 11162.
Release date: 3 July 2023.

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.

Unlike other coins issued by the Royal Australian Mint, the gold and the silver versions of the Australia Zoo bullion coins have different designs.