The Australian two ounces silver piece (abbreviated as 2 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.
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 long-running Australian Kangaroo bullion coin series by the Perth Mint. This coin is "reverse gilded" - the main designs (the kangaroo on the reverse and the Queen's portrait on the obverse) display the underlying silver, while the rest is gold plated - including the edges.
The mint says about the coin: Australia’s most famous marsupial, the kangaroo has appeared on The Perth Mint’s signature coin series since 1989. Featuring superbly observed portrayals of the iconic animal, the Australian Kangaroo is renowned worldwide for its quality, purity, and design.
The coin portrays a kangaroo looking over its shoulder. The background and other artistic elements, including representations of a eucalyptus tree and grass trees, are gilded in 24-carat gold. |