Coin | Silver Two Ounces 1996 Australian Kookaburra, Bullion |
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The Australian two-ounce silver piece (abbreviated as 2 oz and designated with Ag for "silver") is a bullion and commemorative coin format used mostly by the Perth Mint, which only makes collector and bullion coins and other bullion products.
The Australian Silver Kookaburra series was introduced in 1990 by the Perth Mint in the silver one-ounce format. Subsequently, the range was expanded in 1991 to also include 2oz silver, 10oz silver and 1 kg silver; much later, gold formats were also introduced. The Perth Mint issued a "bullion" and a "proof" two-ounce kookaburras with differing designs every year until 2009; after that, all issues are "numismatic" - not bullion but premium, like high relief and/or gold plated editions.
The coins in the series 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, which is the largest member of the kingfisher family and the national bird of Australia. This and their limited annual mintage may, unlike for many other bullion coins, raise their numismatic value over the value of silver used.
There is also a proof edition for 1996 with a different design. |
Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | No mint mark |
Total Mintage |
78,424
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Obverse | |
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 · 2 DOLLARS ·.
The background of the central circle is frosted. |
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Reverse | |
Within a beaded border, the reverse design of the coin shows a kookaburra bird in flight.
Around left, the inscription THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA. Around right, the precious metal content: 2 OZ. 999 SILVER (two troy ounces of 99.9% silver).
Below, the date of issue · 1996 ·
The background of the central circle is frosted. |
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Reverse Inscription |
THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA 2 OZ. 999 SILVER · 1996 · |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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