This coin features the great southern Australian continent in stunning Australian opal. Australia is the planet’s sixth-largest country yet the smallest of the world’s continents. Evolving across more than 3,000 million years, it is also unique as the lowest, flattest and driest continent (after Antarctica) and home to a diverse range of climates, landscapes, and animals.
Once recognized as the ‘unknown land of the south’, legends of Terra Australis Incognita date back to Roman times. The existence of this hypothetical landmass was based on the theory that continental land in the Northern Hemisphere was balanced by land in the Southern Hemisphere.
While depictions of Terra Australis on world maps varied greatly between the 15th and 18th centuries as explorers traversed the Pacific Ocean, British navigator James Cook is credited with producing the first charted maps of the east coast in 1770. The voyage of the British Royal Navy’s HM Bark Endeavour led to the documentation of several previously unknown species of flora and fauna that have come to define Australia.
Struck by The Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.99% pure silver in proof quality, the coin is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965.
The Perth Mint will release no more than 5,000 of the Great Southern Land 2020 1oz Silver Proof Opal Coin.
Perth Mint Australian Opal Series Design
The coin’s reverse features a central opal insert in the shape of the Australian continent. The outer rim of the coin depicts representations of iconic land animals including the kangaroo, emu, koala, echidna, wombat, bilby, Tasmanian devil, frilled-neck lizard, goanna and the eastern brown snake. The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark is included in the design together with the 2020 year-date, and the coin’s weight and fineness.
The coin’s obverse bears the Jody Clark effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II within a stylized pattern and the monetary denomination.
Australian Opal Series Presentation
The coin is housed in a classic display case with a clear lid. Packaged with an illustrated shipper, each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Designers
Designer and engraver Jody Clark joined the Royal Mint UK in 2012. His portrait of Queen Elizabeth II became the fifth official portrait in 2015 (View Designer’s Profile).
A specialist in animals, Aleysha Howarth is an artist at the Perth Mint (View Designer’s Profile).
Australian Opal Lunar Series Coin Specifications
| Country: | Australia |
| Year Of Issue: | 2020 |
| Denomination: | 1 Dollar (AUD) |
| Mint Mark: | P |
| Mintage: | 5,000 |
| Alloy: | .9999 Silver |
| Weight: | 31.107 g |
| Diameter: | 36.60 mm |
| Thickness: | 3.95 mm |
| OBV Designer | Jody Clark |
| REV Designer | Aleysha Howarth |
This is a beautiful coin but the description is incredibly racist. Why talk about Roman history when Australia has over 60,000 years of indigenous history? During which the flora and fauna was known and considered sacred, as it continues to be today. Why wouldn’t you put Australia’s First People map in the middle working with an indigenous designer? Instead of depicting a historical event the coin would be an historical event, bound to increase in value. I know I would buy it
Andrew, are you ok? There is always room for another coin to be made highlighting other historical topics.
As it is, this may be the most beautiful coin PM has ever created.