Thursday, November 18, 2010

Australian Kookaburra Mintages

On 19 Nov 2010, Perth Mint uploaded a document to announce the mintages of the Australian Kookaburra. It shows the maximum mintage and in another column shows the sales. It seems to imply that Perth Mint reserves the right to re-strike the coins till it reaches its maximum mintage.

Mintage for each denomination is listed in each year in the blog. Figures are compiled as of 31 May 2010 and only account for BU issues.

Lowest Mintages at a glance:
1 kg - Year 2005 (2,100)
10 oz - Year 2005 (2,112)
2 oz - Year 2006 (11,697)
1 oz - Year 2006 (73,765)

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

New Queen Portrait from 2010

The pre-2010 Queen's portrait bears little difference with the new portrait used from 2010 onwards. However, a closer look would reveal the following differences:
1) IRB words
2) wrinkles on the forehead and the neck
3) ears
4) hair at the back of the head

Reverse from 1999 - 2009

Reverse from 2010 - present

Monday, November 8, 2010

2011 Australian Silver Kookaburra


In 2011, Perth increased the maximum mintage of Australian Kookaburra 1 oz Silver bullion to 500,000.

Mintage:
1 kg -78,145
10 oz -25,608
1 oz - 500,000 (Max Mintage)

2010 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mint mark 'P' first appeared in the 2010 version

Mintage:
1 kg - 58,968
10 oz - 18,782
1 oz - 300,000 (Max Mintage)

2009 Australian Silver Kookaburra

The mint mark P20 marks the 20th year of Kookaburra Silver Bullion

Mintage:
1 kg - 74,505
10 oz - 13,360
2 oz - 19,888 (Last year of issue)
1 oz - 300,000 (Max Mintage)

2008 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 32,763
10 oz - 17,213
2 oz - 19,028
1 oz - 300,000 (Max. Mintage)

2007 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 17,314
10 oz - 5,993
2 oz - 12,848
1 oz - 197,229

2006 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 4,467
10 oz - 2,999
2 oz - 11,697
1 oz - 73,765

2005 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 2,100
10 oz - 2,112
2 oz - 13,002
1 oz - 80,336

2004 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 2,712
10 oz - 2,270
2 oz - 12,782
1 oz - 74,059

2003 Australian Silver Kookaburra

The 2003 version is the first year that the words 'Australian Kookaburra' are not struck around the edge.

Mintage:
1 kg - 3,106
10 oz - 3,558
2 oz - 15,564
1 oz - 86,737

2002 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 2,856
10 oz - 2,438
2 oz - 14,606
1 oz - 76,245

2001 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 3,108
10 oz - 2,766
2 oz - 15,955
1 oz - 158,969

2000 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 4,556
10 oz - 4,790
2 oz - 22,761
1 oz - 93,238

1999 Australian Silver Kookaburra

It can be seen that the square capsule is not protecting the coin, causing it to tone.
Mint mark "P100' is also struck on the Rabbit coin of the Lunar Series, marking Perth Mint's 100th Anniversary.

A new Queen portrait used from 1999 - 2009

Mintage:
1 kg - 4,714
10 oz - 4,012
2 oz - 19,503
1 oz - 98,513

1998 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 4,688
10 oz - 5,424
2 oz - 20,017
1 oz - 91,550

1997 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 7,967
10 oz - 7,880
2 oz - 31,811
1 oz - 147,781

1996 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 8,961
10 oz - 7,557
2 oz - 77,334
1 oz - 146,286

1995 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 11,721
10 oz - 9,894
2 oz - 44,131
1 oz - 131,411

1994 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 32,781
10 oz - 11,231
2 oz - 38,447
1 oz - 153,414

1993 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Mintage:
1 kg - 13,550
10 oz - 10,161
2 oz - 34,242
1 oz - 165,406

1992 Australian Silver Kookaburra


The 1992 version is the first to have its face value lowered to $1.

Mintage:
1 kg - 47,348
10 oz - 29,576
2 oz - 83,691
1 oz - 195,118

1991 Australian Silver Kookaburra


Beak Down


This obverse is unique to the 1991 version.
It is different from the 1990 version though it has the same face value.

Only BU version of Kookaburra was issued and total of 278,136 were sold.

Near the end of 2012, Perth Mint re-struck the up to the maximum of 300,000.

1990 Australian Silver Kookaburra

The first Australian Silver Kookaburra up to 1999 edition are placed in square capsule. As seen from the photographs, the field of the coin is extremely raw and unpolished.


This obverse of the coin is unique to the 1990 version of Kookaburra and never seen on future issues.

Only 1 oz BU Kookaburra were issued and it reached its maximum mintage of 300,000.

Australian Kookaburra

The first Australian Silver Kookaburra was issued in 1990 by Perth Mint of Australia. In the first 2 years of issue, there were only BU and Proof versions of the Kookaburra and it was issued at the size of 1 oz having face value of A$5. Early issues of the Kookaburra coin were housed in square capsules till perhaps 1999. From 1992, the Kookaburra was produced in 1 oz, 2 oz, 10 oz and 1 kg, having face value of A$1, A$2, A$8 and A$30 respectively. However, the 2 oz version ceased production after 2009.

Although Perth Mint has released news on 14 September 2010 that maximum mintage for the 2011 1 oz BU version would be raised from the current 300,000 to 500,000, the mintage of the BU Kookaburra is always a mystery as Perth Mint does not release exact figures.

Coin Specifications for 1 oz:
Diameter - 40.6 mm
Thickness - 4 mm
Weight - 31.635 g
Fineness - 99.9%
Edge - Reeded
Face Value - A$5 (1990 - 1991); A$1 (1992 - present)

Coin Specifications for 2 oz:
Diameter - 53.30 mm
Thickness - 4.5 mm
Weight - 62.770 g
Fineness - 99.9%
Edge - Reeded
Face Value - A$2

Coin Specifications for 10 oz:
Diameter - 75.50 mm
Thickness - 8.70 mm
Weight - 312.347 g
Fineness - 99.9%
Edge - Reeded
Face Value - A$10

Coin Specifications for 1 kg:
Diameter - 101.0 mm
Thickness - 14.60 mm
Weight - 1,002.502 g
Fineness - 99.9%
Edge - Reeded
Face Value - A$30

Different design of the reverse over the years:

Unique for 1990

Unique for 1991

1992 - 1998

1999 - 2009

2010 - present