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COIN REVEAL: 1/2oz .999 Silver 2005 Australian Kookaburra Proof Coin

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Today's coin reveal post features the 1/2oz .999 Silver 2005 Australian Kookaburra Coin struck by the Perth Mint.

This coin has the same design as the bullion version of the 2006 Australian Kookaburra coin, this coin has a few points of difference to the bullion design:

  • The coin has a proof, mirror finish instead of a matte finish.
  • The coin has a hologram background, which is unique to the 2005 proof coin.
  • The coin is a square shape, honouring the Australian square penny.

The outer cardboard box of this 2005 1/2oz proof coin is also uniquely colourful for the Perth Mint. In previous years the Perth Mint proof coins were housed in boxes that were a single colour with a conservative design.

This cardboard box is multi-coloured, with the coin design silhouette of the two kookaburras prominent on the box. This extra flair of colour may be because of the hologram background of the coin, again something that Perth Mint had not previous used on a proof kookaburra coin and has not used on any kookaburra proof coins since.

1. Coin Story

If you read my post about a week or so about the 2006 bullion kookaburra coins I purchased, you will remember how excited I was to find a full sealed roll of twenty 1oz 2006 bullion kookaburra coins.

When I came across this 2005 1/2oz proof kookaburra coin, I was just as excited. Immediately I recognised the coin design of the two kookaburras perched on the branch, but I saw the hologram background.

I am not sure if I am a fan of the hologram background, but I knew the coin was quite rare and highly collectible. Lucky for me, it was not only the 2005 1/2oz proof kookaburra for sale, but the seller had the 2005 1oz proof kookaburra too. As you can imagine I was not going to let this opportunity pass me by, so I bought both coins.

So in my stack now, I have a full roll of twenty 2005 kookaburra bullion coins, a full roll of twenty 2006 kookaburra bullion coins, the 1/2oz 2005 kookaburra proof coin and the 1oz 2005 kookaburra proof coin. It is a great feeling when you have plan in your mind of what you would like to collect and overtime, organically that plan starts to come together.

2. Coin Packaging

These coins are packaged in individual sealed square plastic capsules. Each coin is protected by the black clam shell case. On the outside of the cardboard box is the silhouette of the two kookaburras on the coin design. The words "PROOF ISSUE SILVER COIN SERIES" and "AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA 2005" are written on the box.

3. Coin Details

a. Mintage

The mintage of this coin was 30,000 coins. Each of the coins were issued as legal tender under the authority of the Australian Government with the denomination of 50 cents (Australian).

b. Purity

The purity of the coin is .999 fine silver.

c. Details

Mint/Brand:The Perth Mint
Silver Content:1/2 Troy Ounce
Purity:.999 Fine Silver
Denomination:50 cents (Australian)
Year of Issue:2005
Edge:Milled
Mintage:30,000
Dimensions:24.7mm x 24.7mm
Thickness:3.5mm

4. Coin Design

a. Reverse Design

The reverse of the coin depicts two kookaburras perched on a eucalyptus branch.

The design includes an inscription 'AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA', the coin weight '1/2 OZ', the coin purity '999 SILVER' and the year of issue '2005'.

b. Obverse Design

The obverse of the coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The design also includes the inscriptions 'ELIZABETH II', country of origin 'AUSTRALIA' and the denomination '50 CENTS' (Australian).

Post authored by @strenue