COIN REVEAL: 1oz .999 Silver 2001 Australian Kookaburra Proof Coin
Today's coin reveal post features the 1oz .999 Silver 2001 Australian Kookaburra Proof Coin struck by the Perth Mint.
This coin has the same design as the bullion version of the 2002 Australian Kookaburra coin. For a period of time The Perth Mint would issue the proof coin design of a kookaburra coin a year earlier than they would issue the bullion version of the coin with the same design. The key difference between the proof coin design and the bullion coin design was the quality of the finish of the coin. The bullion coins minted by The Perth Mint have a matte finish, whereas the proof coins have a high quality mirror finish.
1. Coin Story
I like to stack both bullion and proof coins in my collection. For bullion coins, where possible I like to have two single coins and a complete twenty coin sealed roll. I have achieved this for some of the Australian Kookaburra coin designs. For certain coin design years this goal proves much harder than for other years.
For proof coins, I generally tend to only collect one proof design per year. This also gets tricky with some years as The Perth Mint has started bringing out more types of proof coins each year.
Types of available proof coins:
- Standard proof coins (as per the coin featured in this post)
- High relief proof coins
- Antiqued proof coins
- Gilded proof coins
2. Coin Packaging
These coins are packaged in individual sealed plastic capsules. Each coin is protected by an orange clam shell case, which as you can see from the photo has weathered a bit over the years. On the outside of the clam case is the Australian coat of arms in silver with the words "THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA PROOF ISSUE 1 OZ COIN". The outer cardboard slipper is orange with the words "The 2001 Australian Proof Kookaburra Silver Coin Series".
3. Coin Details
a. Mintage
The maximum mintage of the proof coin was 5,000, this coin issue was not sold out and the declared mintage was 3,241. Each of the coins were issued as legal tender under the authority of the Australian Government with the denomination of $1 (Australian).
b. Purity
The purity of the coin is .999 fine silver.
c. Details
| Mint/Brand: | The Perth Mint |
|---|---|
| Silver Content: | 1 Troy Ounce |
| Purity: | .999 Fine Silver |
| Denomination: | $1 (Australian) |
| Year of Issue: | 2001 |
| Edge: | Milled |
| Maximum Mintage: | 5,000 |
| Declared Mintage: | 3,241 |
| Diameter: | 40.6mm |
| Thickness: | 3mm |
4. Coin Design
a. Reverse Design
The reverse of the coin depicts a kookaburra in full flight in front of a map of Australia in the background. The square penny privy mark is to the left of the kookaburras.
The design includes an inscription 'AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA', the coin weight '1 OZ', the coin purity '999 SILVER' and the year of issue '2001'.
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 '1 DOLLAR' (Australian).
Post authored by @strenue
