Marking the fifth year for the gold coin series, the Perth Mint of Australia has released four 2012 Australian Koala Gold Proof Coins, including one in high-relief.
These four strikes are featured in different sizes but all contain the same reverse image chosen by the Perth Mint for use on its series of 2012 koala coins.
Sizes for the Koala Gold Proof Coins include 2 ounces, 1 ounce, 1/10 ounce and 1/25 ounce. The 1 ounce strike is featured in high-relief. All four are struck to proof quality from 99.99% pure gold.
Coins of the series debuted in 2008. They followed a companion series of silver coins which made their first appearance the previous year.
The Perth Mint changes the reverse design of the koala coins annually. In 2008, an adult koala was depicted sitting on a eucalyptus tree branch with its young clinging to its back. In 2009, a single koala was shown sitting on one branch while using its front paws to grasp another. They followed that design in 2010 with a koala clinging to a branch with all fours as it munched on eucalyptus leaves. Last year’s 2011 image depicted an adult koala in the fork of a eucalyptus tree as its young clings to one of the branches.
The design chosen for 2012 shows an adult koala sleeping on the branch of a eucalyptus tree. It was designed by Perth Mint artist Alesha Howarth.
Reverse inscriptions on the coin include the size of the strike along with "9999 GOLD." The Perth Mint’s historic ‘P’ mintmark is also shown on the reverse.
The obverse contains Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. It is surrounded by the inscriptions of "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," the year and the face value of the coin.
Each of these Australian Koala Gold Proof Coins is struck as legal tender of Australia. The associated face value is AUD $200 for the two ounce coin, $100 for the one ounce, $15 for the 1/10 ounce and $5 for the 1/25 ounce.
Specification for 2012 Australian Koala Gold Proof Coins
| 2 oz | 1 oz | 1/10 oz | 1/25 oz | |
| Gold Content (Troy oz) | 2 | 1 | 1/10 | 1/25 |
| Face Value (AUD) | 200 | 100 | 15 | 5 |
| Fineness (% purity) | 99.99 | 99.99 | 99.99 | 99.99 |
| Minimum Gross Weight (g) | 62.215 | 31.107 | 3.111 | 1.244 |
| Maximum Diameter (mm) | 41.10 | 27.30 | 16.60 | 14.60 |
| Maximum Thickness (mm) | 3.90 | 5.00 | 1.50 | 1.40 |
| Mintage | 250 | 2,000 | 5,000 | 15,000 |
| Price (AUD) | $5,250.00 | $2,990.00 | $329.00 | $145.00 |
Each coin is presented in a display case with a numbered certificate of authenticity indicating the maximum mintage of the strike. The coin, case and certificate are presented inside an illustrated shipper.
2012 Australian Koala Gold Proof Coins are available worldwide directly from the Perth Mint of Australia with the exception of the two ounce and one ounce coins for purchasers from the United States. These must be purchased from an authorized distributor.
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About the Perth Mint
The Perth Mint (www.perthmint.com.au) is the official issuer of the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program. It was Australia’s third branch of Britain’s Royal Mint when it opened in 1899 (the others being the Sydney Mint and the Melbourne Mint, which are both now closed).
Ownership of the Perth Mint was transferred to the State Government of Western Australia in 1970 who still operates the facility today.
I have an authorized distributor marketing me a 2 oz coin for $12,500. He is stating that only 250 were minted and that this coin is #6 of those 250 that is why such a high price. I’m a little skeptical of the price tag, but what is your opinion. It is graded MS70.