Coin | Silver Ounce 2023 Australian Kookaburra |
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The Australian one ounce silver piece (abbreviated as 1 oz and designated with Ag for "silver") is a bullion and commemorative 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.
The Australian Silver Kookaburra series - to which this coin belongs - was introduced in 1990 by the Perth Mint; subsequently, the Royal Australian Mint also started issuing silver Kookaburra bullion coins. The coins have legal tender status in Australia and are one of very few legal tender bullion silver coins to change their design every year, always featuring a kookaburra - a bird native to Australia. This and their limited annual mintage may, unlike for many other bullion coins, raise their numismatic value over the value of silver used.
The 34th annual Kookaburra design portrays two birds perched on branches surrounding waratah, a native floral treasure.
The kookaburra is the largest member of the kingfisher family and the national bird of Australia. It takes its name from the word "gugubarra" in the Australian aboriginal Wiradjuri language. |
Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Total Mintage | 500,000 |
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Obverse | |
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 DOLLAR ·.
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Reverse | |
The reverse of the coin depicts two Australian kookaburra birds perched on branches, above waratah flowers.
The designer's initials WR (for Wade Robinson) are at the base of the branch below. Below right near the rim, the Perth Mint's traditional P mint mark.
Around above left, the date of issue and the precious metal content: 2023 1oz 9999 SILVER (one troy ounce of 99.99% silver). Around above right, the name of the coin series: KOOKABURRA. |
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Reverse Inscription |
2023 1oz 9999 SILVER KOOKABURRA |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Silver content (Troy oz): 1.000 Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated. Packaging: in a protective acrylic capsule. Perth Mint SKU: 23022DAAX
The coins have the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, even though they were issued in December 2002 - after her death, and are dated 2023 in the reign of King Charles III. |
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