Beautiful World Coins

The first of the Australian Bush Babies Coin Series: The 2010 Baby Kangaroo Silver Proof Coin

Issued by the Perth Mint as part of the new Australian Bush Babies Series, this 2010 silver proof coin shows the adorable wide-eyed innocence of a young kangaroo.

Colored coin designs have never looked more delightful and charming than on the coins from this new Perth Mint series portraying cute and cuddly Australian baby animals. The first Australian Bush Babies coin depicts Australian artist Elise Martinson’s gorgeous interpretation of an infant kangaroo. The next four coins in this series will portray a baby sugar glider, a dingo, a bilby and a koala.

This coin is struck from 1/2oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality. The reverse includes representations of Australian native flowers and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The obverse of each coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the silver content, the face value and the 2010 year-date.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2010

Face value: 50 Cents

Finish: Proof with Colored Reverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 36.6 mm

Weight: 15.591 grams

Mintage: 10,000

The Colorful 2010 Clownfish Silver Proof Coin from Australia

Issued by the Perth Mint as part of the Australian Sea Life Series, this 2010 silver proof coin shows a clownfish, one of the most eagerly anticipated sights of any dive on Australia’s world-famous tropical reef systems.

Bright orange with three black-bordered white stripes, this remarkable fish has natural protection from the stinging cells on the waving tentacles of the sea anemone in which it prefers to live. Growing up to 8 cm in length, Clownfish occur in sheltered tropical waters, including the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

Like the other releases from this Australian Sea Life Series celebrating five fascinating reef dwellers (the 2009 Lionfish, the 2009 Leafy Sea Dragon, the 2010 Seahorse and the 2010 Moray Eel), this coin is struck from 1/2oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality. The reverse of each coin includes The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.

 

Mint: Perth

Year: 2010

Face value: 50 Cents

Finish: Proof with Colored Reverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 26.6 mm

Weight: 15.573 grams

Mintage: 10,000

The Pheidippidis' Marathon Run 2,500th Anniversary 2010 Silver Proof High-Relief Coin

Issued by the Perth Mint as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, the Pheidippidis' Marathon Run 2,500th Anniversary Silver Proof High-Relief Coin features Pheidippidis’ arrival in Athens at the end of his famous run, where legend suggests he proclaimed victory with the word “nenikhkamen” (we have won) before expiring.

According to tradition, this year marks the 2,500th anniversary of Pheidippidis’ 25-mile run to Athens with news of the Greek army’s historic triumph at the Battle of Marathon in 490BC. His remarkable long-distance achievement inspired the introduction of Olympic marathon running in 1896, and has also influenced countless ordinary joggers to attempt the grueling 26.22 miles at one of today’s many high-profile marathon events.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2010

Face value: $1

Finish: Proof with High-Relief Reverse & Obverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 32.6 mm

Weight: 31.135 grams

Mintage: 5,000

The 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing 2009 50 Cents Coin from Australia

The Royal Australian Mint celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing with the introduction of this commemorative 2009 dodecagonal 50 cent coin featuring the lunar module in space on its way to Tranquility base on the Moon. The incorporation of pad printing techniques to represent the vast expanse of the night sky is merged with an optically intriguing design which illustrates the foreground/ background relationship that the Moon and the Earth share.

Apollo 11 was the first manned missionto land on the Moon. On July 21, 1969, the first human being set foot on another celestial body, arguably the single greatest accomplishment and technical achievent of all time. This feat of ingenuity was a unifying event of global proportions, made possible by the cooperation of people from many countries, including Australia.

Mint: Canberra

Year: 2009

Face value: 50 Cents

Finish: Uncirculated

Composition: Cupro/Nickel

Size: 31.51 mm

Weight: 15.55 grams

Mintage: N/A

Optimus Prime and Megatron - Transformers Silver Proof Coins from Australia

Issued by the Perth Mint as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, the 2009 Transformers silver proof coins feature two robot characters: MEGATRON, the evil leader of the DECEPTICONS, and OPTIMUS PRIME, the leader of the AUTOBOTS, a faction of heroic Transformers. Produced in collaboration with Dreamworks, Paramount and Hasbro, both coins incorporate the inscription TRANSFORMERS and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.

Based on a popular 1980s TV series, Transformers attracts audiences ranging from teens to those who enjoyed the small-screen version. The Transformers come from the planet Cybertron and are able to "transform", rearranging their bodies into common or innocuous forms, including vehicles, devices or animals.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2009

Face value: $1

Finish: Proof with colored reverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 40.6 mm

Weight: 31.135 grams

Mintage: 5,000 each

The Cannae and Thermopylae Famous Battles silver proof coins from Australia

Issued by the Perth Mint as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, the Cannae 2009 silver proof coin commemorates Hannibal’s crushing defeat of the Roman legions in 216BC. Against a massive force comprising 80,000 infantry and 6,000 cavalry, his outnumbered Carthaginian army won a remarkable victory that has been hailed as the one of greatest tactical achievements in military history. The coin’s reverse portrays a Carthaginian warrior and one of Hannibal’s 30 war elephants, which famously crossed the Alps with his army. The design, which includes The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark, also portrays a colored depiction of the furious encounter. This is the second coin in this very popular series.

The first coin in this series, the battle of Thermopylae, already sold out at the Mint, marks the Spartans’ remarkable stand at Thermopylae in 480BC against a powerful Persian invasion force. Although defeated, their valiant action inspired the allied Greek city-states to ultimate victory in ensuing battles. The Thermopylae coin depicts a Spartan warrior wearing a metal cuirass (breastplate), with a doru (spear), a protective Corinthian helmet, and a xiphos (sword), and also portrays a colored image of Spartan warriors in classic phalanx formation.

Focusing on five notable engagements that changed the course of history, The Perth Mint’s Famous Battles series portrays battlefield scenes spanning more than two millennia. After Thermopylae and Cannae, the next three coins in the series will commemorate the battles of Hastings – 1066, Balaclava – 1854, and Gettysburg – 1863.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2009

Face value: $1

Finish: Proof with colored reverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 40.6 mm

Weight: 31.135 grams

Mintage: 5,000

This 2009 Silver Proof Coin Commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

The Perth Mint is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a critical event in the revolutionary wave that swept across Central and Eastern Europe ending in the overthrow of Soviet-style communist states within the space of a few months. Issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu and struck by The Perth Mint, this silver proof dollar coin shows a stylized representation of the number 20 separating a colored image of the sky featuring a peace dove, and a close-up interpretation of the Berlin Wall as well as a depiction of Germany’s symbolic Brandenburg Gate.

Forty-three kilometers long, the Berlin Wall was built to prevent defectors escaping to the free world via West Berlin. On November 9, 1989, following mounting anti-communist demonstrations, the East German government announced that restrictions on travel to the West were to be lifted. Border guards had no choice but to open the barriers during the ensuing rush towards the Berlin Wall, letting thousands pass through for the first time in nearly three decades.

As the gates of the Berlin Wall were flung open, West Germans joined in wild celebrations, their euphoria marking the end of the Cold War amid renewed hope for the reunification of their country.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2009

Face value: $1

Finish: Proof with colored reverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 40.6 mm

Weight: 31.135 grams

Mintage: 5,000

The Colorful Barbie™ 50th Anniversary Silver Proof Coin

The Perth Mint is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Barbie™, one of the hottest selling toys and collectibles in the world, with the release of a stunning commemorative 1 oz silver proof coin for her legions of international fans. Issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, this 2009 silver proof coin reflects the timeless appeal of Barbie™ and depicts classic images of Barbie™ on a background featuring colored highlights in pink. The design also incorporates the Barbie™ 50th anniversary logo and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.

Manufactured by Mattel, Inc. and launched at the 1959 New York Toy Fair, Barbie™ quickly became a best friend and confidante of little girls all over the world. Her popularity soared with each new generation.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2009

Face value: $1

Finish: Proof with colored reverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 40.6 mm

Weight: 31.135 grams

Mintage: 20,000

An Australian Silver Coin for People born in the Year of the Ox

The Perth Mint issued the second coin in its popular Australian Lunar Series II : the 2009 Year of the Ox silver proof coin. This 99.9% pure silver coin features an ox and a calf standing on grass with hills in the background, as well as the inscription ‘Year of the Ox’ and the Chinese character for ‘ox’.

The ancient Chinese Lunar Calendar dates back beyond 2,600 BC. Based on the appearance of the new moon, it associates a different animal with each year in the 12-year lunar cycle. Each animal is believed to influence the personality of the people born under its ‘rule’. People born in any year of the ox – including 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and 2009, are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed.

The first coin in the Australian Lunar Series II was the 2008 Year of the Mouse and featured two mice on a bed of straw with pumpkins in the background.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2009

Face value: $1

Finish: Proof

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 41.1 mm

Weight: 31.135 grams

Mintage: 5,000

The South Magnetic Pole 1909-2009 Pure Silver Proof Coin from Australia

The Perth Mint issued the sixth coin in its popular Australian Antarctic Territory Series: the 100th anniversary of the first expedition to reach South Magnetic Pole. This 2009 pure silver proof coin features Douglas Mawson and two Antarctic explorers against a blue sky.

Following an exhausting and dangerous sledging journey, Australian scientists Douglas Mawson and TW Edgeworth David, together with Scottish doctor Alistair Forbes Mackay, reached the position on 16 January 1909. Mawson, Australia’s most famous Antarctic explorer, was responsible for the magnetic observations and the cartographic work.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2009

Face value: $1

Finish: Proof

Composition: 99.99% silver

Size: 40.6 mm

Weight: 31.135 grams

Mintage: 7,500