2009 Aurora Australis $5 Silver Proof Coin

2009 Aurora Australis $5 Silver Proof Coin - click on image to enlarge

General Coin Information

Concluding its four coin series celebrating the International Polar Year, the Royal Australian Mint has released the 2009 Aurora Australis $5 Silver Proof Coin. This unique coin incorporates design elements from the three previous coins in the series, as well as a hologram.

The International Polar Year was a scientific program that ran March 2007 to March 2009. It attempted to focus attention on the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

Australia has always had a close relationship with the Antarctic continent. Many Australians were among those who went on expeditions to the Antarctic in the late 1800's and early 1900's, a time when little was known about the area.

One such venture was led by Ernest Shackleton aboard the Nimrod. Despite failing to reach the south magnetic pole, the expedition marked the furthest anyone had gone up to that point. They were also the first to see the Beardmore Glacier and the South Polar Plateau and the first to climb Mount Erebus. His wife Emily later remarked that Shackleton's response to not reaching the south pole as:

"a live donkey is better than a dead lion, isn't it?"

Today, Australia continues to conduct studies in Antarctica based at the research stations Mawson, Davis and Casey.

Obverse Design

Ian Rank-Broadley current portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is shown on the obverse. Also included are the inscriptions "Elizabeth II", "Australia", "2009" and "5 Dollars".

Reverse Design

The reverse of this unique coin features Ernest Shackleton's ship, the Nimrod, in a hologram. The hologram is designed to portray the Aurora Australis and changes color as the coin is moved. In front of the Nimrod are several penguins and aft of the ship members of the expedition are visible. Also seen is a projection of the Antarctic Continent, with Australia's research bases marked.

Aurora Australis Coin Specifications

Australia Silver Coin Auctions

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Hong Kong Auctions Indian Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Polish Auctions Singapore Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions UK Auctions

Best Match Time: ending soonest Time: newly listed Price: lowest first Price: highest first Price + Shipping: lowest first Price + Shipping: highest first

Australia 2009 $1 100 Years of Swimming Excellence 1oz Silver Proof Coin    US $63.50

RARE 2009 1 OZ 999 PURE SILVER PROOF PERTH MINT AUSTRALIA BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG    US $40.00

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Silver Lunar 2 Oz Series 2 Australia Coins Set with Box    US $1,100.00

Australia 2009 Silver 1oz 3 coin set Coloured Kangaroo RRP$295    US $148.72

2009 AUSTRALIA KANGAROO $1 ONE DOLLAR SILVER PROOF 1oz COIN PCGS PR70 DCAM POP 2    US $631.92

AUSTRALIA 2009 YEAR OF THE OX 3 PROOF COINS SET 35 Oz 0999 SILVER 1000 PCS    US $799.00

AUSTRALIA 2 COIN SET 2009 1oz SILVER KOOKABURRA KOALA    US $141.90

2009 AUSTRALIA LUNAR YEAR OX $1 ONE DOLLAR SILVER 1oz COIN PCGS MS69    US $236.92

2009 Treasures of Australia Diamonds 1 oz Silver PP    US $190.00

2009 Australia One Ounce SILVER OX Lunar Coin UNC    US $51.00

2009 P $1 OZ SILVER GOLD GILT GILDED NGC MS69 KOALA 999 BULLION AUSTRALIA PERTH    US $56.00

2009 Australia Koala 1 oz 999 silver    US $59.00

Aurora Australis Coin Resources

• Mint information page
• Additional coin information - SilverCoinsToday.com