The Australian ten ounces gold piece (abbreviated as 10 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 Perth Mint's Australian Wedge-tailed Eagle series, marking its tenth anniversary with a design by John M. Mercanti combining all of his previous designs for earlier edition of the series.
The mint says about it: Struck from 10oz of 99.99% pure gold, this magnificent release celebrates the progression of Wedge-tailed Eagle designs between 2014 and 2024. Since 2014, John M. Mercanti has completed nine designs for the internationally popular Wedge-tailed Eagle Series. Formerly the 12th Chief Engraver of the US Mint, the renowned American sculptor and engraver produced more coin and medal designs than any other employee in that organisation’s history. |