1oz Silver 2018 Australian Kookaburra
Today's featured coin is the 1oz Silver 2018 Australian Kookaburra coin struck by The Perth Mint. This coin depicts a flying kookaburra against the backdrop of a full moon.
This post will discuss the following 2018 Australian Kookaburra coin designs in more detail:
- Bullion Coins - The Bullion coin sizes issued in 2018 were the 1oz, 10oz and 1kg coins. This post will discuss the maximum mintages and declared mintages of the Bullion coins.
- Privy Coins - The Privy coins issued in 2018 were the Lunar Dog, Panda and F15 privy mark coins. This post will include images of the privy mark coins, plus the maximum mintages and declared mintages of the Privy coins.
- Two Coin Set - The Two Coin Set was issued in 2018, for only the the second time, by The Perth Mint in partnership with APMEX. These coin sets had a very limited mintage and were the only available way to buy the Proof version of the 2018 Australian Kookaburra.
- Antique Finish High Relief Coin - The 2oz Australian Kookaburra Antique High Relief Rimless coin was a special release issued in 2018 by The Perth Mint. Due to its very limited mintage, this coin was highly sort after.
Bullion Coins
Mintage
The maximum mintage of the 1oz Silver 2018 Australian Kookaburra bullion coin was 500,000 and the declared mintage was 243,740. The coin was issued as legal tender under the authority of Australia with a denomination of one dollar. The bullion coin sizes issued in 2018 were the 1oz, 10oz and the 1kg coins. The table below shows the maximum mintage and declared mintage totals.
| Year | Denomination | Description | Maximum Mintage | Declared Mintage |
| 2018 | $30 | 1kg Bullion Kookaburra Coin 2018 | unlimited | 11,716 |
| 2018 | $10 | 10oz Bullion Kookaburra Coin 2018 | unlimited | 12,624 |
| 2018 | $1 | 1oz Bullion Kookaburra Coin 2018 | 500,000 | 243,740 |
Coin Purity
The 2018 edition of the Australian Kookaburra Bullion coins were the first year the purity of the coins was .9999 fine silver, the previous editions of the coins had a purity of .999 silver.
Coin Details
| Mint/Brand: | The Perth Mint |
| Silver Content: | 1 Troy Ounce |
| Purity: | .9999 Fine Silver |
| Denomination: | $1 (Australian) |
| Year of Issue: | 2018 |
| Edge: | Milled |
| Weight: | 31.135g |
| Diameter: | 40.60mm |
| Thickness: | 2.98mm |
| Maximum Mintage: | 500,000 |
| Declared Mintage: | 243,740 |
Design
The reverse of the Bullion coin depicts a flying kookaburra against the backdrop of a full moon. The design includes an inscription 'Australian Kookaburra', the 'P' mintmark, and the year 2018.
The obverse of the coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination of Australian 1 Dollar.
Privy Coins
Mintage
The maximum mintage of the 1oz Silver 2018 Australian Kookaburra coin with Lunar Dog privy mark was 50,000 and the declared mintage was 14,700. The coin was issued as legal tender under the authority of Australia with a denomination of one dollar. The Privy coins issued in 2018 were the Lunar Dog, Panda and F15 privy mark coins. The table below shows the maximum mintage and declared mintage totals.
| Year | Denomination | Description | Maximum Mintage | Declared Mintage |
| 2018 | $1 | 1oz Kookaburra Coin with Lunar Dog Privy Mark 2018 | 50,000 | 14,700 |
| 2018 | $1 | 1oz Kookaburra Coin with Panda Privy Mark 2018 | 8,000 | SOLD OUT |
| 2018 | $1 | 1oz Kookaburra Coin with F15 Privay Mark 2018 | 15,000 | 1,500 |
Design
Lunar Dog Privy Mark
The reverse of the coin for the Lunar Dog privy design depicts the same 2018 flying kookaburra against the backdrop of a full moon, with the addition of the Lunar Dog privy mark to the left of the Kookaburra. The interesting thing about this privy mark is that it actually replaces the moon which is integral to the coin design. The design includes an inscription 'Australian Kookaburra', the 'P' mintmark, and the year 2018.
The obverse of the coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination of Australian 1 Dollar.
Panda Privy Mark
The reverse of the coin for the Panda privy design depicts the same 2018 flying kookaburra against the backdrop of a full moon, with the addition of the Panda privy mark to the left of the Kookaburra. This privy mark also replaces the moon in the coin design. The design includes an inscription 'Australian Kookaburra', the 'P' mintmark, and the year 2018.
The obverse of the coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination of Australian 1 Dollar.
F15 Privy Mark
The reverse of the coin for the F15 privy design depicts the same 2018 flying kookaburra against the backdrop of a full moon, with the addition of the F15 privy mark to the right, below the Kookaburra. This privy mark does not replaces the moon in the coin design, which is like previous privy marks on coins that do not impact the original design of the coin. The design includes an inscription 'Australian Kookaburra', the 'P' mintmark, and the year 2018.
The obverse of the coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination of Australian 1 Dollar.
Two Coin Set
Mintage
The year 2018 was the second release of the Proof and Bullion Kookaburra coin set. The Two Coin Set was issued by The Perth Mint in coordination with APMEX, who had the exclusive rights to sell the coin sets. The number of coin sets issued was extremely limited to a mintage of 1,000 sets worldwide. The 2018 Proof version of the Australian Kookaburra was only available in one of these Two Coin Sets, which made them unique and highly collectable.
Design
The reverse of the coin depicts a flying kookaburra against the backdrop of a full moon. The design includes an inscription 'Australian Kookaburra', the 'P' mintmark, and the year 2018. The background of the Bullion version has a matte finish, the Proof version has a higher quality mirrored background finish.
The obverse of the coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination of Australian 1 Dollar.
The 2018 Australian Kookaburra Two Coin Set was elegantly presented in a custom wooden box, housed in a green illustrated outer box with a kookaburra picture and 2018 written on the outer box. Each Two Coin Set was accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Antique Finish High Relief Coin
Mintage
A special release 2oz Australian Kookaburra coin was issued in 2018 with an Antique High Relief Rimless finish. The number of coin sets issued was limited to a mintage of only 2,000 coins. The antiqued finish gives the effect of surface abrasions and makes the coin appear to be ancient, this results in a slightly different appearance for each coin.
The 2oz Australian Kookaburra Antique High Relief Rimless coins do not come in a plastic capsule. The exposure to the elements does not appear to cause visible tarnish of the silver, but I always make sure I use cotton gloves when handling my Antique High Relief Rimless coins.
Coin Details
| Mint/Brand: | The Perth Mint |
| Silver Content: | 2 Troy Ounce |
| Purity: | .9999 Fine Silver |
| Denomination: | $2 (Australian) |
| Year of Issue: | 2018 |
| Edge: | Rimless |
| Weight: | 62.27g |
| Diameter: | 40.60mm |
| Thickness: | 6.42mm |
| Maximum Mintage: | 2,000 |
Design
The reverse of the coin depicts a kookaburra flying in Perth's Kings Park with the city skyline in the background.
The obverse of the coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination of Australian 2 Dollars, and the year 2018.
The 2018 Australian Kookaburra 2oz Antique High Relief Rimless coin was presented in a classic grey clam shell box, within a blue illustrated outer box, and accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Coin Purchase Quantity
The Australian Kookaburra 1oz coins are sold as single coins, in sealed rolls of twenty 1oz coins or you can purchase a 100oz box that includes five sealed rolls of twenty 1oz coins. The advantage of buying in higher quantities is that the bullion dealers offer volume breaks or discounts the more coins you buy.
Coin Display
There are many options on how best to store and display your Australian Kookaburra 1oz coin collection. One great option is to purchase a purpose built presentation box. There are different varieties out there, but the one in the photo below holds up to twenty 1oz Silver Kookaburra coins. The black velour-lined tray is designed to fit 1oz Silver Kookaburra coins in their original mint capsules.
Coin Protection
Each 1oz Silver Kookaburra coin is stored in their original mint plastic capsules. It is highly recommended that you keep your silver bullion coins in their capsules to prevent tarnishing of the coin. If the original plastic capsule gets scratched, damaged or cracks, you can buy new plastic capsules from your trusted bullion dealer.
When handling your 1oz Silver Kookaburra coins, for extra protection use a pair of cotton gloves. Cotton gloves protect your silver coins from oils in your fingers that may cause discoloration, damaging the finish of the coin. I have formed the habit to use cotton gloves even when I am handling silver coins in their plastic capsules.
Post authored by @strenue
