2012 Australian Coins
Australia is home to two of the world's most prestigious minting facilities - the Perth Mint of Australia and the Royal Australian Mint. Some of their coins are shown below with additional details provided by clicking on the images of the strikes.
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2012 Australian Minted Coins |
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The Koala Silver, Kookaburra Silver and the Kangaroo Gold bullion coins are just a few examples of the bullion coins also produced by the mints of Australia.
Additional Australian Coins of Interest
The Perth Mint of Australia strikes many collectible coins throughout the year. Some of those not directly featured by World Mint Coins are shown below. Clicking on the affiliate links will take you directly to the associated page on the Perth Mint's website.
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Selected Australian Coin History
Kangaroo Coins
The Kangaroo series of coins started appearing from the Perth Mint of Australia in 1986. However, at that time the strikes featured neither kangaroos for their designs nor were they known as kangaroo coins. Originally, the series showcased images of various gold nuggets and were called by the nickname of "Australian Gold Nuggets." Beginning in 1989, the reverse of the proof coins started changing designs annually.
Also, to increase their popularity as well as to more easily identify them, the Perth opted to start showcasing the kangaroo marsupials native of Australia on the reverse of the coins in place of the gold nuggets. Each is struck from 24-karat gold and is considered the official gold bullion coin of Australia. The strikes have appeared in several different sizes over the years including 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz, 10 oz, and 1 kg.
Kookaburra Coins
Kookaburra Silver Bullion Coins started being struck by the Perth Mint in 1990 as the official silver bullion coins of Australia. Typically, the coins are struck in three different sizes from 99.9% pure silver including kilo, 10oz and 1oz.
The reverse of each coin features an annually changing design of a kookaburra bird known for its unique call.
Koala Coins
In 1989, the Perth Mint started issuing Koala Silver Coins. The strikes appear have appeared in four different sizes including 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz and 1 oz all struck from 99.9% pure silver.
The reverse features Australia's native and iconic koala with annually changing designs.
About the Perth Mint of Australia
The Perth Mint of Australia originally opened as a branch of Britain's Royal Mint in 1899 to refine and strike into coins the gold mined in the region. Ownership of the facility was transferred from Great Britain to the State Government of Western Australia in 1970 who still operates the facility today.
The Perth is known for its extremely collectible coins, however, the Perth Mint is also responsible for striking the official bullion coins of Australia as well as producing gold blanks used by other minting facilities from around the world.
About the Royal Australian Mint
His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh officially opened the Royal Australian Mint on February 22, 1965. It was established to initiate production on the new decimal coinage adopted by the country.
Along with producing the circulating coinage of the country, the Royal Australian Mint also strikes many unique collectible coins.
