The Perth Mint of Australia is expanding on its 2012 koala silver coin series with the release of two new strikes. The 2012 Australian Koala 5 Oz Silver Proof Coin and the 2012 Australian Koala Gilded Silver Coin are both available now directly from the Perth.
These two new silver coin issues feature the same basic obverse and reverse designs as first seen on the 2012 koala bullion coins which made their debut on November 1, 2011. Koala silver coins from the Perth, however, date back even further to 2007 when the minting facility first released a bullion coin showcasing the marsupial.
The choice of a koala for an Australian coin series seems natural as the creature is indigenous to the country. It feeds almost exclusively on the leaves of the eucalyptus trees located on the eastern and southern forested coastal regions of the nation.
Shown on the reverse of each new coin is the original design by Perth Mint artist Aleysha Howarth. She created the image to show a koala resting on the branch of a eucalyptus tree with its fore-limb dangling along the side of the branch. The marsupial is highlighted on the gilded coin with 24-karat gold.
A reverse inscription on the design shows AUSTRALIAN KOALA above the image. Additional reverse inscriptions on the five ounce coin include 2012 5oz 999 SILVER with the one ounce gilded coin containing 2012 1 oz 999 SILVER.
The obverse of each depicts Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Obverse inscriptions include ELIZABETH II and AUSTRALIA on both coins with 8 DOLLARS on the five ounce coin and 1 DOLLAR on the gilded.
Both coins are struck as legal tender of Australia under the Australian Currency Act of 1965. Face values are indicated on the obverse of each with the aforementioned $8 for the five ounce Koala Coin and $1 for the Gilded Koala Coin.
Koala Silver Coin Specifications
| Gilded Koala Coin | Five Ounce Koala Coin | |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Content (Troy oz) | 1 | 5 |
| Monetary Denomination (AUD) | 1 | 8 |
| Fineness (% purity) | 99.9 | 99.9 |
| Minimum Gross Weight (g) | 31.135 | 155.673 |
| Maximum Diameter (mm) | 40.60 | 60.60 |
| Maximum Thickness (mm) | 4.00 | 7.90 |
| Maximum Mintage | 10,000 | 5,000 |
As shown in the chart above, mintages for both strikes are limited. The 2012 Gilded Koala has a maximum mintage of 10,000 with the five ounce coin limited to just 5,000.
The 2012 Australian Koala Gilded Silver Coin is available now worldwide for a current price of $94.54. Buyers worldwide (except in the United States of America) may purchase the 2012 Australian Koala 5 Oz Silver Proof Coin for AUS $450.00 as of this writing.
Both may be purchased directly from the Perth Mint of Australia.
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For more information or to place an order, visit The Perth Mint website at www.perthmint.com.au.
See other Perth Mint coin highlights from this site’s Australian Coin Guide.
About the Perth Mint
The Perth Mint is responsible for striking the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program as well as some of the most unique numismatic products issued in the world. The facility is owned by the State Government of Western Australia but was originally constructed in 1899 as a branch of the Royal Mint of England.
