This year’s Christmas-themed coin from the Perth Mint of Australia celebrates the story of Santa Claus and his reindeer.
Struck in one-half ounce of 99.9% pure silver, the reverse of the 2014 50c Christmas Silver Proof Coin features a silhouette of Santa Claus and his sleigh led by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Flying through the night sky, they are cast against a silver moon. Falling snowflakes and a snow covered house add to the Christmas scene which is completed with the inscription SEASON’S GREETINGS, the Perth Mint’s P mint mark and artist Jennifer McKenna’s initials.
Issued as Australian legal tender, shown on the obverse is Ian Rank-Broadley’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with inscriptions ELIZABETH II, AUSTRALIA, 50 CENTS, 2014 and 1/2OZ 999 SILVER.
Specifications of Twelfth Doctor 1/2 Oz Silver Coin
| Silver Content (Troy oz) | 0.50 |
| Monetary Denomination (AUD) | 0.50 |
| Fineness (% purity) | 99.9 |
| Minimum Gross Weight (g) | 15.591 |
| Maximum Diameter (mm) | 36.60 |
| Maximum Thickness (mm) | 2.30 |
| Maximum Mintage | 5,000 |
Augmented Reality Using Smartphone or Tablet
For the first time, the Perth Mint’s Christmas coin also comes with a unique Christmas-themed "augmented reality" feature so you can watch the story of Christmas coming alive when viewing the coin from the camera of a smartphone or tablet.
"To experience the delightful imagery and music, a collector must first download the free DAQRI application from the iTunes App Store or Google Play," the Perth Mint describes. "Then by holding their device’s camera over the reverse of the coin (or the picture of the coin provided in the packaging), Santa can be seen delivering the Christmas coin on Christmas Eve!"
The following Perth Mint video demonstrates how it works.
Festive Packaging and Ordering
Coins arrive encapsulated, housed in a presentation case and set within a custom-designed Christmas-themed shipper that is also accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
The 2014 50c Christmas Silver Proof Coin may be ordered from the Perth Mint of Australia at www.perthmint.com.au for AUS $57.73 or US $50.33. Here is an affiliate link to coin’s product page.
