In what could be the most unique and affordable option out there for gold bullion, the Perth Mint has released the 2010 Mini Roo 0.5g Gold Bullion Coin.

Struck from 0.016 troy ounces of 99.99% pure gold, this new coin continues a tradition of gold bullion coins from the Perth that dates back to 1986. In that year, the Perth started minting its gold bullion strikes with images of gold nuggets on them giving them the nickname of "nugget."

It only took a few years for the Perth to decide that gold nuggets did not make for very desirable imagery and in 1989, it turned to one of Australia's most famous iconic animals - the kangaroo.

The gold bullion coins from the Perth have featured kangaroos ever since making them desirable not only for their gold content, but also for the imagery found on each and every piece. The Perth has created the kangaroos in various sizes including 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz, 10 oz, and even 1 kg. However, 2010 marks the first year in which this new more affordable size is offered.

Also, according to the Mint, this coin is the first of what is to become an annual tradition of 0.5g gold bullion kangaroo coins with each year featuring a new reverse design.

The kangaroo shown on the reverse of the 2010 coin shows a hopping kangaroo. It is the work of Wade Robinson.

As legal tender under the Australian Currency Act of 1965, the $2 face value gold coin features an image of Queen Elizabeth II on its obverse. It was designed by Ian Rank-Broadley.

The bullion quality Mini Roo can be purchased directly from the Perth Mint for the extremely affordable AUS $45.41 plus shipping.

This series of coins has proven to be in demand among many around the world for several reasons.  The first of which is obviously the subject matter.  Picking creatures known to reside in the reefs off of the coast of Australia immediately draws the attention of potential customers who have seen or would like to see some of them in their natural habitat.

Second, one attribute that the Perth is known for is its colorizing and the reverse of this coin is an excellent example.  The Moray Eel is portrayed in life-like color so as to almost jump from the coin on which it resides.

Third, the large 36mm diameter makes the coin unique for its size, especially for a 1/2 ounce silver coin.  For comparison, most of the Perth's one ounce coin have only a slightly larger diameter of 40.60 mm.  Obviously, the 1/2 ounce coins will have a smaller thickness to account for the difference.

Fourth, a limited mintage of only 10,000 makes these coins desirable just for their rarity.  Add in all of the coins purchased just by "tourists" for their "prettiness" and the collectability rises even higher.

It is hard to say for sure why this series of coins has been so successful, but one thing is for certain - the first three coins in the series (which debuted last year) have already sold out leaving only the Moray Eel coin and the recently released Seahorse coin available for interested buyers.

For reference, the complete series contains these five coins:

• 2009 Silver Proof Lionfish Coin - SOLD OUT
• 2009 Silver Proof Leafy Sea Dragon Coin -SOLD OUT
• 2010 Silver Proof Clownfish Coin - SOLD OUT
• 2010 Silver Proof Seahorse Coin
• 2010 Silver Proof Moray Eel Coin

As the Perth has sold out of the first three of this series, anyone interested in a complete set will have to turn to the secondary market to fill it.

A display box is available from the Perth for anyone who has collected the complete set.  It stores and showcases the illustrated shippers that the coins are shipped in and completes an almost aquarium design when put together.

2010 Japanese Prefecture Silver Coin Series

But while the State Quarters were issued in un-circulated condition, made from copper-nickel and issued by the millions, the large Prefecture 40mm. coins are being minted in gem proof quality from 99.9% pure silver, limited to 100,000 of each-and they picture local scenery, flora and fauna, etc. in full color. 

Japan's current prefecture system was established by the Meiji government in July 1871. Although there were initially over 300 prefectures, this number was reduced to 72 in the latter part of 1871, and 47 in 1888. The Local Autonomy Law of 1947 gave more political power to prefectures, and installed prefectural governors and parliaments.

The Prefecture Coin Program was launched with a coin commemorating Hokkaido, the largest prefecture of Japan, an island located off the coast of the northernmost part of the country. It features Red-crowned cranes flying over Lake Toya, a volcanic lake found in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. The reverse design-common to the entire prefecture series-features snow crystals, a crescent moon and cherry blossoms.

The second prefecture coin honors Kyoto. Located in the middle of the country, for most of its history Kyoto was known as the Imperial Capitol of Japan. Although the capitol of Japan has been changed to Tokyo, Kyoto remains Japan's cultural capitol. The Kyoto coin features designs and images that are specific to that prefecture. As such, the Kyoto coin features a scene from "The Picture Scroll of the Tale of Genji" (National Treasure of Japan).

Next is the Shimane prefecture coin, in the Prefecture series, that should be of special interest to numismatists since it features a 16th century silver coin-called "Otoriosame-Chogin"-minted from ore derived from the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, located in Oda City in the center of Shimane, that operated from 1526 through 1923. In addition, the official flower of the prefecture-peonies--are pictured in full color.

Prefecture Coin number four features Nagano, famous as the site for the 1998 Winter Olympics. Nagano is surrounded by mountains which stand 3,000 meters above the sea level, called the Japan Alps, which are depicted on the coin.

The fifth coin in the series features the magnificent Japanese Crested Ibis flying over Sado (Sadogashima) Island in the prefecture of Niigata. This is a sight that was almost lost forever near the end of the last century. In 1952, the species was designated a Special Natural Monument, and in 1960 it was listed as an internationally protected species-but the local population died off. Fortunately in 1981, a Chinese researcher discovered seven wild Crested Ibises in Shaanxi Province, China. The protected Chinese population began to increase, and in 1990, 25 ibis chicks were captured and placed in a protection and rearing centre. Eventually they began to produce young, and within a decade there were more than 130 Crested Ibises in captivity. So, the Japanese Crested Ibis appears to be on the road to recovery, with the total population of wild and captive birds currently greater than 600. The program aims to reintroduce 60 ibises to Japan by 2015. There are currently 10 free-flying on Sado Island, five males and five females, all fitted with GPS tracking devices.

Nara is featured on the sixth Prefecture coin. Nara was the ancient capital of Japan, even older than Kyoto. The coin pictures the ancient ball game of "Kemari" being played before the Former Imperial Audience Hall at Heijo Palace in the Heijo-kyo Capital, that is celebrating its 1300th Anniversary in 2010. It has been preserved as a national historic site and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site-and is now being reconstructed.

The seventh Prefecture coin commemorates Ibaraki--a center of science and technology--located close to Tokyo. The design appropriately features the H-II Launch Vehicle, the first rocket produced in Japan using only domestic technologies--developed at the National Space Development Agency of Japan in this prefecture. In the background is Mt. Tsukuba, that is admired for its graceful shape and is often compared with Mt. Fuji.

The Japan Mint has appointed California-based Panda America as official American distributor; for further information call 800-472-6327 or visit www.PandaAmerica.com.

A gilded koala coin is not a new concept.  The Perth has been issuing them for three years now based on the same design as they feature on their standard 1 ounce silver Koala Coin, which changes annually.

The Perth then takes that design and applies a 24-karat gold gilding to the features of the koala, leaving the other design elements, including the field, of the coin un-touched.  This creates a very unique design that showcases Australia's famous marsupial.

The coin itself is struck from 1 ounce of 99.9% pure silver to a diameter of 40.60mm with a face value of $1.

Each coin sells for AUS $72.73 with a maximum mintage in place of only 10,000 for the gilded series.  They would make a great addition to anyone's collection or an outstanding gift for that hard-to-buy-for youngster.

Don't forget, you are also getting 1 ounce of 99.9% pure silver aside from the numismatic value of the coin.

Click on 2010 Gilded Koala Coin for more information.

For those who may have been interested in getting one of the two Transformers coins from the Perth Mint as holiday gifts, it appears that you are too late.  The Perth Mint has changed the status for these highly collectible silver coins to "SOLD OUT."

This means that if you would like to get your hands on one (or both), you must now look towards the secondary markets. A quick look at eBay before this posting showed several options available, with most premiums at a reasonable stage for a sold out coin.

The British mint issued Henry VIII coins during his 38-year reign, and now the Royal Mint has struck coins for Great Britain commemorating the 500th anniversary of his accession to the throne at the age of 17.

The design on the proof gold and brilliant uncirculated copper-nickel coins shows Henry VIII standing before a frieze of roses in the "antique" style favored in the carvings and tapestries of the period. On the edge is a Latin inscription, Rosa Sine Spina (Rose Without a Thorn), which was also used on Henry VIII's own coinage. Additional details include the initials HR (Henry Rex) which represents his personal monogram and a rope border surrounding the coin's design which symbolizes the Royal Navy.

"Love him or hate him, Henry VIII is undoubtedly one of history's most influential monarchs," said Dave Knight, Director of Commemorative Coins at the Royal Mint. "His reign changed the face of England forever and we felt it was essential that this remarkable period of history was commemorated with a lasting and treasured momento."

Only 1,509 of the gold proof coins have been produced, 1509 being the year that Henry came to the throne, at the issue price of $2,000. An affordable copper-nickel brilliant uncirculated version is available in a colorful folder for only $19.95.

In addition, The Royal Mint has struck just 200 impressive silver proof coins containing one kilo (over 32 troy oz.) of pure silver for Alderney--the most northerly of the Channel Islands and a British dependency. Designed by Mark Jamieson, the reverse features a handsome portrait of Henry VIII. Each kilo coin comes in a luxurious presentation case, featuring an individually numbered plaque and booklet incorporating a Certificate of Authenticity, and is priced at $2000.

The Henry VIII commemorative coins can be ordered by calling official distributor Panda America at 800-472-6327 or on their web site at www.PandaAmerica.com.