| Coin | Platinum Twentieth-Ounce 1990 Australian Koala, Proof |
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The Australian twentieth-ounce platinum piece (abbreviated as 1/20 oz and designated with Pt for "Platinum") is a bullion coin format.
The Platinum Koala series was introduced by the Perth Mint in 1988 following the large success of Australia’s gold coins in the previous year, and the approval on 18 June 1987 by the Australian government of the minting of platinum and silver coins. It is the world's first platinum bullion coin (the American Platinum Eagle series started nine years later, in 1997). The 1/20oz format was added to the range in 1989. Regular production of the series was discontinued after 2000 due to low demand; after that time, there are only some commemorative issues.
The overall weight of the coins is slightly over one twentieth of an ounce, so as (accounting for the purity of the alloy) to have exactly 0.050 ounce of platinum content.
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| Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Total Mintage |
5,133
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right (her effigy known as the "Third Portrait"). The Queen is wearing the royal diadem which she used to wear on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, a pearl necklace and earrings.
Incuse in tiny letters on the neck truncation, the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).
Around, the monarch's legend and the face value: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA · 5 DOLLARS ·.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design of the coin depicts a koala clinging to a branch of a eucalyptus tree.
Around the rim, the name of the series: THE AUSTRALIAN KOALA, followed by the precious metal content: 1/20 OZ 9995 PLATINUM (one twentieth of a troy ounce of 99.95% platinum).
Around below, the date of issue · 1990 ·. In small letters in the lower left, the initials of the designer, JB (for John Bergdahl).
The Perth Mint's P mint mark is on the base of the tree, above the date. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
THE AUSTRALIAN KOALA 1/20 OZ 9995 PLATINUM · 1990 · |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Platinum content (in troy oz): 0.050
Finish: proof.
Mintage includes 1,182 individual coins, and 3,951 in mint sets. |
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| Included in Set |
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The Australian Family of Precious Metals Coins 1990 Proof Set ($5), mintage 2,983, limited to 10,000
3 coins: 1/20 oz Platinum Australian Koala, 1/20 oz Gold Australian Nugget, 1 oz Silver Australian Kookaburra
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The Australian Koala 1990 Proof Issue, mintage 968, limited to 2,500
5 coins: 1 oz Platinum, 1/2 oz Platinum, 1/4 oz Platinum, 1/10 oz Platinum, 1/20 oz Platinum
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