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Australia 2016 Kookaburra 1 Kilo Silver Coin

reverse, Australia 2016 Kookaburra 1 kilo Silver Bullion Coin - Perth Mint

Description:

The Perth Mint continues their popular Kookaburra series of bullion coins with the 2016 issue of the .999 fine one-kilogram silver coin. First released in 1990 in a one-ounce version, each year’s issue has featured a different design on the reverse – one of the few world bullion programs to do so.

Long one of the world’s most sought-after bullion coins, the success of the Australian Kookaburra inspired the Perth Mint to create several other bullion programs, such as the Lunar Series and the Silver Koala.

The kookaburra is a kind of kingfisher, a bird common to much of the world; kookaburras, however, are “terrestrial” and not seafaring. The 2016 design features a species called the laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), so named for the sound of its call. It is also known as the “laughing jackass” or “giant kingfisher”.


Obverse:

Ian Rank-Broadley’s classic effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Rank-Bradley’s initials IRB are located just beneath the bust truncation. Wrapping around the coin, just inside of the rim, are the inscriptions ELIZABETH II and AUSTRALIA 2016. Inscribed at the bottom is the face value of 30 DOLLARS.

obverse, Australia 2016 Kookaburra 1 kilo Silver Bullion Coin - Perth Mint

Reverse:

A laughing kookaburra sits on a fence post that has barbed wire tied around it, perhaps denoting a carefree spirit and a certain freedom associated with birds. Or it could symbolize the playfulness and resilience of nature as opposed to the hubris of man as he attempts to bring it to heel. The Perth Mint’s “P” mint mark sits against the horizon on the left of the coin. Two trees bereft of leaves are in the background. Designer Natasha Muhl’s initials are found at the bottom of the wooden post.

The central motif is surrounded by a ring, but as if to emphasize the spirit of freedom the kookaburra may symbolize, the bird’s wings and tail feathers extend past this border.

Inscriptions include AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA, which wraps around the top of the design between the ringed border and the rim of the coin, and 2016 1 KILO .999 SILVER, which is cradled at the bottom.

 

Designer(s):  Since 1998, Ian Rank-Broadley’s fourth effigy of Queen Elizabeth has served with distinction as the obverse for coins of the UK and the Commonwealth (View Designers Profile). Natasha Muhl is a designer and illustrator for the Perth Mint. She is drawn to natural motifs, such as animals, birds, gems, and ocean life (View Designer’s Profile).

Coin Specifications:

Country:  Australia
Year Of Issue:  2016
Denomination:  30 Dollars
Mint Mark:  P
Mintage:
Alloy:  .999 Silver
Weight:  1 kg (32.15 troy oz)
Diameter:   100.60 mm
Thickness:   14.6 mm
Edge: Reeded
OBV Designer  Ian Rank-Broadley
REV Designer Natasha Muhl
Quality: Bullion

 

Keep up with all the latest coin releases from the world mints by clicking on CoinWeek’s World Coin Profiles Page.

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CoinWeek IQ
With CoinWeek IQ, the editors and writers of CoinWeek dig deeper than the usual numismatic article. CoinWeek IQ provides collectors and numismatists with in-depth information, pedigree histories, and market analysis of U.S. coins and currency.

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