2006 Year of Dog (1 oz Proof Coin)

2011 Australian Silver Koala

The 2011 Australian Koala is beginning to have some similarity with the Kookaburra. The reverse of the coin has the wordings 'AUSTRALIAN KOALA' like the Kookaburra. The obverse, unlike the first 4 issues, has done away with the mint year hence it looks similar to the obverse used on the Kookaburra coins.

Adult and baby koala resting on the fork of a eucalyptus tree

2011 Australian Koala Obverse

2011 Australian Kookaburra Obverse

Unknown limited number of presentation card

Back of card serves as COA as well as coin specification

On 7 June 2011, Perth Mint released its largest Proof Silver Koala of 5 oz at A$431.82. It has a maximum mintage of 5,000 whereby only 300 were made available within Australia.

1/10 oz Coin Specifications:

Diameter - 20.60 mm

Thickness - 2 mm

Weight - 3.315 g

Face Value - 10 cents (Australian Dollar)

Mint Issue Price: A$35.91

Mintage -

1 kg: 75,712

10 oz: 10,051

1 oz: 910,480

1 oz Coin-in-Card: 11,865

1/2 oz: 76,755

1/10 oz:

2007 Australian Silver Koala

The first Australian 1 oz Silver Koala coin was issued in 2007. It was produced with a unique 'Shimmer' background. Koalas first appeared on platinum coins in 1988.

2007 Australian 1 oz Silver Koala Reverse

2007 Australian 1 oz Silver Koala Obverse

The first issue was minted with only one denomination - 1 troy ounce. The 2007 design is known as 'Cuddly Koala' and striking has ceased on the start of production of the 2008 version.

Fineness: 99.9%

Face Value: A$1

Maximum Diameter: 40.6 mm

Maximum Thickness: 4 mm

Weight: 31.135 g

Coin-In-Card Mintage: 3,060

Mintage: 137,768

Mint Issue Price: A$27.23

2006 Year of Dog (2 oz Proof Coin)

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

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

2011 Year of Rabbit Second Series

Coin's reverse design depicts an adult and young rabbit surrounded by foliage and a tree with creepers entwined in its branches

2 oz and 1 oz 2011 Silver Rabbit

Perth Mint has decided to cease production for the 1/2 kg denomination for the Lunar Series, citing poor take-up. Hence, only 2008 - 2010 would have 1/2 kg version. However, there will be 500 pieces of 10 kg 2011 Lunar Rabbit coins to be produced - more than 10 times of the 2008 & 2009 versions.

Hence, the 2011 Year of Rabbit Second Series Silver has only 7 denominations. However, it continues to have the same number of limited mintage for 1 oz Gilded, Coloured, Proof, 3-Coin Proof Set, 4-Coin Typeset and 1 kg Proof.

Emerald Eye Inset is used in the 2011 Year of Rabbit 1 kg Gemstone Edition.

For 2011 Year of Rabbit, Perth Mint has minted for Cook Islands their first issue of 4-Coin Silver Proof Rectangle Set in the Lunar Series. Each coin has a different design depicting coloured rabbits on the reverse. However, each coin is issued as a legal tender under the authority of the Government of Cook Islands instead of Australia. The maximum mintage for the set is at 3,000 sets, each set is issued with COA and display case.

Coin Specifications:

• 1 troy ounce or 31.135 grams
• 99.9% fineness
• Face value: Cook Islands 1 Dollar
• Dimension: 47.6 X 27.6 X 4.0 mm

Mintage for 2011 Year of Rabbit Silver Lunar Second Series:

• 10 kg: (Capped at 1,000)
• 1 kg: TBD
• 1/2 kg: TBD
• 10 oz: 12,563
• 5 oz: 8,030
• 2 oz: 99,494
• 1 oz: 300,000 (Maximum Mintage)
• 1/2 oz: 124,488

Note: The above-mentioned mintage figures are sales figures released by Perth Mint. Except for the 10 kg and 1 oz, the rest of the denominations have unlimited mintages. Minting will close upon minting of the next issue is declared.

Transacted price (shipped) (Jan - Nov 2010)

Series 2

10 Kilo: NIL

1 Kilo: NIL

10 oz: S$398 - 426

5 oz: NIL

2 oz: S$84 - 88

1 oz: S$36 - 54

1/2 oz: NIL

1 oz Proof: S$94

High silver prices have turned buyers away as there were only 25 pieces of 1 oz and 7 pieces of 2 oz transacted from September to November compared to 61 pieces of 1 oz and 20 pieces of 2 oz transacted in November 2009 alone for the Year of Tiger coins. If silver prices remain high, the Year of Rabbit coins could well be at low mintage.

Apparently, transactions on ebay do not reflect the real situation on the 2011 Rabbit. It was declared by Perth Mint in January 2011 that they have reached the maximum mintage for the 1 oz Rabbit.

Transacted Prices in S$ inclusive of shipping to Singapore (Dec 2010 - Nov 2011)

10oz: S$486 - 547

5oz: S$391

2oz: S$109 - 162

1oz: S$59 - 96

1/2oz: NIL

1oz Proof: S$120 - 133

Typeset: S$473 - 633

Transacted Prices in US$ inclusive of shipping within US (Dec 2010 - Nov 2011)

1 Kilo: US$1,270 - 1,502

10oz: US$445 - 605

5oz: US$180 - 246

2oz: US$70 - 160

1oz: US$38 - 61

1/2oz: US$21 - 32

1oz Proof: US$126

3-Coin Proof Set: US$464

1936 Third Reich Silver 2 Reichmark

Silver 2 Reichsmark were minted from 1936 to 1939 with 1936 being the most scarce.

Coin Specifications:

• 0.625 Silver
• Weight: 8 g
• Diameter: 25 mm
• Edge: With words: Germeinnutz geht vor Eigennutz

2 Reichsmark Obverse (1936)

2 Reichsmark Reverse (1936) Mint Mark G

2 Reichsmark Reverse (1936) Mint Mark E

Russian Saint George the Victorious Silver Coin

Saint George the Victorious silver coins were first issued on January 11, 2009. The obverse features the emblem of the Central Bank of Russia—a double-headed eagle with wings down—and is inscribed with "БАНК РОССИИ" (Bank of Russia), "ТРИ РУБЛЯ" (Three rubles), indications of the precious metal content and its fineness, and the year of issue followed by the mint mark. The reverse features an image of Saint George and the Dragon. The coin was designed and sculpted by A. V. Baklanov and minted at Saint Petersburg. (Source: Wikipedia.org)

Coin Specifications:

• Diameter - 39 mm
• Thickness - 3.1 mm
• Edge - 300 corrugations
• Composition - 99.9%
• Face value - 3 rubles
• Mass - 31.50 g (1.01 troy oz)
• Mintage - 280,000 (Year 2009)

2009 Obverse

2010 Obverse

Reverse

Third Reich Silver Reichmark

The Reichsmark was introduced in 1924 to replace the Papiermark due to the hyperinflation in Germany in the 1920s. In 1925, 0.500 fine silver 1 and 2 Reichsmark coins were introduction. By 1927, 1 Reichsmark ceased production and was replaced by nickel 1 Reichsmark in 1933. In the same year, a new 2 and 5 Reichsmark of fineness 0.625 and 0.900 respectively were struck. By 1939, due to World War II, Germany could no longer afford to mint silver coins for circulation.

Coin Specifications:

• 0.900 Silver
• Weight: 13.8 g
• Diameter: 29 mm
• Edge: With words: Germeinnutz geht vor Eigennutz

(Community before self)

5 Reichsmark Obverse (1934)

5 Reichsmark Reverse depicting Potsdam Kirche (1934)

The Reichsmark coins were previously minted in 7 different mints instead of current Euro coins, which are minted in 5 different mints (A, D, F, G, J). The following mint mark indicates where each coin was minted:

• A - Berlin
• B - Wien (Vienna)
• D - Munchen (Munich)
• E - Muldenhutten (Dresden)
• F - Stuttgart
• G - Karlsruhe
• J - Hamburg

The mint mark of this coin can be found just below the Potsdam Kirche.

Mint mark 'E' at the bottom of the Potsdam Kirche near the rim

Close up view of the mint mark 'E'

Specifications of Australian Gold Lunar Series 2

Specifications of Australian Gold Lunar Series 2
	Face Value	Gold Oz	Weight Oz	Weight grams	Diameter mm	Thickness mm	Gold Fineness
1 oz.	A$ 100	1.00	1	31.1030	32.10	2.65	999.9
1/2 oz.	A$ 50	0.50	.5	15.5515	25.10	2.20	999.9
1/4 oz.	A$ 25	0.25	.25	7.7758	20.10	1.80	999.9
1 / 10 oz.	A$ 10	0.10	.1	3.1103	16.10	1.30	999.9
1/20 Oz.	A$ 5	0.05	.05	1.5552	14.10	1.40	999.9

2008 Year of Mouse Second Series

Coin's reverse design depicts two mice on a bed of straw with two pumpkins in the background

1 oz Obverse

2 oz Obverse

Seemingly in sync with the Gold Series, which began in 1996, Year of the Mouse, the second of the Silver Lunar Series began production in 2008. The Second Series coins were larger in diameter and hence thinner.

There are 8 denominations for the Silver Series: 10 kilo, 1 kilo, 1/2 kilo, 10 oz, 5 oz, 2 oz, 1 oz, 1/2 oz.

10 kilo: $300

Diameter: 221.0mm

Thickness: 33.0mm

Mintage: 35

1 kilo: $30

Diameter: 100.6 mm

Thickness: 14.6 mm

Mintage: N.A.

1/2 kilo: $15

Diameter: 100.6 mm

Thickness: 7.4 mm

Mintage: 739

10 oz: $10

Diameter: 85.6 mm

Thickness: 6.6 mm

Mintage: 3,718

5 oz: $8

Diameter: 65.6 mm

Thickness: 5.8 mm

Mintage: 3,005

2 oz: $2

Diameter: 55.6 mm

Thickness: 3.6 mm

Mintage: 9,126

1 oz: $1

Diameter: 45.6 mm

Thickness: 2.6 mm

Mintage: 300,000 (Maximum Mintage)

1/2 oz: 50c

Diameter: 36.6 mm

Thickness: 2.3 mm

Mintage: 17,114

• Maximum Mintage of 1 oz Gilded BU*: 50,000 (With numbered COA & presentation packaging)
• Maximum Mintage of 1 oz Coloured BU: 3,800 (With numbered COA & presentation packaging)
• Maximum Mintage of 1 oz Proof: 5,000 (With numbered COA & presentation packaging)
• Maximum Mintage of 3-Coin Proof Set#: 1,000 sets (With numbered COA & presentation packaging)
• Maximum Mintage of 4-Coin Typeset^: 1,500 sets (With numbered COA & presentation packaging)
• Maximum Mintage of 1 kg Proof: 500
• Maximum Mintage of 1 kg Gemstone (with blue sapphire eye inserts): 5,000 (With numbered COA & presentation packaging)

* It is not known how many 1 oz Gilded BU version would be issued without COA & Box.

# The 3-Coin Proof Set comprises of 2, 1 & 1/2 oz Proof coins.

^ The 4-Coin Typeset comprises of 1 oz coin in 4 different types of finish - BU, BU Coloured, BU Gilded & Proof. The 4-Coin Typeset was only available for sale in March 2009.

Transacted price (shipped) (Jan - Nov 2010)

Series 2

1 Kilo: NIL

10 oz: NIL

5 oz: S$194 (Very Scarce)

2 oz: S$158 - 306

1 oz: S$50 - 72

1/2 oz: S$30 - 52

1 oz Proof with COA & Box: S$114

3 Coin Proof Set with COA & Box: S$684

In January 2011, while Perth Mint declared that the 2011 1 oz Rabbit mintage of 300,000 has been reached, it was also announced that the Mint has received an order large enough to continue to strike the 2008 1 oz Mouse up to its maximum mintage. This has incurred the wrath of some collectors despite the Mint reserving their rights to re-open their striking of the 1 oz up to their maximum mintage or when the entire Second Series is closed. The same can be done on the 1 kilo version while the striking for rest of the denominations for the 2008 Mouse is declared closed.