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HomeRoyal Australian Mint Celebrates Kookaburra Centenary With Square 1/4oz Silver Proof Coins

Royal Australian Mint Celebrates Kookaburra Centenary With Square 1/4oz Silver Proof Coins

Royal Australian Mint Celebrates Kookaburra Centenary

By Royal Australian Mint ……
 

One of Australia’s most unusual and distinctive coin designs celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2019, the design never circulated and yet it is still treasured in numismatic circles today. This 2019 25c Fine Silver Proof Set remembers the Kookaburra coins, valued for their distinctive designs and rarity.

In 1919, Australia’s government, championed by the treasurer, proposed to exchange Australia’s old cumbersome bronze pennies and halfpennies with new coins that would be lighter and more uniquely Australian in design. Between 1919 and 1921, thirteen designs were trialed by the Royal Mint, all based on a square shape and bearing the image of a perched laughing kookaburra on their reverse.

New alloys were also used for the trial pieces, using metals such as nickel, copper, and tin. Approximately 200 of the Kookaburra trial pieces were produced but the coin never reached circulation. Some Australians were uncomfortable with the small size of the coins, vending machines had been manufactured to take only round coins, and there was a general resistance to the idea of change. The alloys were also expensive, and so when the Treasurer suddenly resigned in 1921, the trials no longer had a champion. Thanks to their rarity and unique design, the remaining kookaburra trial pieces are highly collectible and valued by numismatists.

  • Reverses feature designs inspired by the kookaburra pennies 1919-1921
  • Finished to the Mint’s high-quality proof standard
  • Certificate of authenticity
  • Australian legal tender coins
  • Limited mintage of 3,000 sets

Presentation

The 2019 Kookaburra Centenary 25c Fine Silver Proof Set is housed in a case with a certificate of authenticity.

Designer(s):

Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was chosen to appear on the coinage of the United Kingdom in 1998. His design began to appear on collector coins that year and became widespread starting in 1999 (View Designer’s Profile).

Coin Specifications:

Country:  Australia
Year Of Issue:  2019
Denomination:  25 cents (AUD)
Mint Mark:  N/A
Mintage:  3,000 Sets
Alloy:  .999 Silver
Weight:  7.087 g (0.25 oz)
Diameter:  22.00 mm
OBV Designer Ian Rank-Broadley
REV Designer Stokes & Sons/Royal Australian Mint
Quality: Proof

 

Royal Australian Mint
Royal Australian Minthttps://www.ramint.gov.au/
The Royal Australian Mint is an award-winning, world-class Mint and a global leader in the mint industry. The Mint produces circulating coins for Australia and other countries; collectible and investment coins for domestic and international customers; and custom-made medals, medallions, and tokens for individual or corporate clients. The Mint is also a national cultural attraction that educates millions of Australians and international visitors on the history of Australia’s decimal currency, and the significance and value of coins.

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