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.
This coin is part of the long running Australian Kookaburra series of bullion coins by the Perth Mint, which has a new reverse design every year.
The mint says about it: Famed for its raucous laughing call, the kookaburra is heard across Australia - from the outback to the back yard. And while it may be adept at snatching food from your barbeque or picnic table, the kookaburra enjoys a varied menu in the wild - insects, earthworms, frogs, fish, mice, or even venomous snakes! Grabbing a snake with its large bill, the kookaburra generally bludgeons its prey to death before feeding. |