| Coin | Gold Quarter Ounce 2020 Voyage of Discovery - Endeavour |
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The Australian quarter-ounce gold piece (abbreviated as 1/4 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 about this coin:
Ideal for enthusiasts of history and science, this <>1/4oz gold proof coin marks 250 years since the Endeavour, captained by James Cook, reached the east coast of Australia during its exploration of the Pacific Ocean. |
| Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Total Mintage |
750
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| Obverse | |
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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 AUSTRALIA 1/4oz 9999 Au 2020 25 DOLLARS.
The inscription around the rim also incorporates the precious metal content. "1/4 oz 9999 Au" means "one quarter of a troy ounce of 99.99% gold" - Au is abbreviated from the Latin word for gold, Aurum. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin features a representation of HM Bark Endeavour against an outline of the east coast of Australia. Depicted in the background are various flora including banksia, named after Joseph Banks who recorded the species aboard the Endeavour, and wattle.
Below right, a representation of a navigational instrument on which in small letters the designer's initials, LB (for Lucas Bowers).
The Perth Mint’s P mint mark is in the left field.
In a ribbon around above, the inscription ENDEAVOUR 1770 - 2020. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
ENDEAVOUR 1770 - 2020 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: Proof.
Packaging: accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity, each coin is presented in a classic black display case and packaged within a themed shipper.
Perth Mint SKU: 20G93CAA |
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