Coin | Silver Ten Ounces 2008 Australian Koala |
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The Australian ten ounces silver piece (abbreviated as 10 oz and designated with Ag for "silver") 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 extensive Australian Koala bullion range by the Perth Mint. |
Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Total Mintage |
4,367
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Obverse | |
The obverse of the coin shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the face value: ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2008 · 10 DOLLARS ·.
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Reverse | |
The coin's reverse depicts a koala and her baby (joey) on the branch of a eucalyptus tree. The background is patterned with geometric forms.
On the right, the P mint mark of the Perth Mint. Below left, the designer's initials SB (for Shevaun Buschenhofen).
Around below right, the precious metal content: 10oz 999 SILVER (ten troy ounces of 99.9% silver). |
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Reverse Inscription |
10oz 999 SILVER |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Silver content (Troy oz): 10.000 Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated). Packaging: in acrylic capsule.
This is the first coin in this size in the Australian Koala range. |
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