All the attention of Perth Mint numismatic fans is often fixed on the popular gold and silver bullion coin programs, such as the Australian Silver Kookaburra or the all-new Australian Silver Kangaroo. There’s another popular precious metal coin from Australia’s oldest mint, and its struck using a metal with value and demand matching that of gold. The 2016 1 oz Australian Platinum Platypus Coin is available now from JM Bullion.

Coin Highlights:

• Arrives in a protective plastic capsule, sealed rolls of 20, or sealed boxes of 100.
• 6^th release of the Platinum Platypus!
• Contains 1 oz of .9995 pure platinum.
• Bears a face value of $100 (AUD) backed by the federal government of Australia.
• Features the image of the unique platypus on the reverse.
• Queen Elizabeth II’s effigy on the obverse.
• Ships in Brilliant Uncirculated condition.

The Perth Mint is well known for its wildlife-themed coins, with many featuring unique species found exclusively on the Australian continent. The kookaburra, koala, and kangaroo all feature prominently on coin designs, and so too does the native platypus.

Australian Platinum Platypus coins were first introduced in 2011, and unlike other coin programs from the Perth Mint, the design on the reverse remains consistent from year to year. These coins met with immense popularity when they were released in 2011, with all 30,000 coins sold out. The Perth Mint shifted to an unlimited mintage program for these coins in 2013.

On the reverse face of the coin you’ll see the image of a platypus swimming through a freshwater stream, with bubbles floating up through the water. Engravings read “Australian Platypus” above the design and “2016 1 oz 9995 Platinum” below.

The obverse features that familiar right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty’s effigy was created in 1998 by Ian Rank-Broadley, and is accompanied by engravings identifying the Queen, the nation of issue, and the face value of the coin.

Australia’s Perth Mint is its oldest operating facility. Originally founded in 1898 as part of the British Royal Mint system, the Perth Mint has been in Australian control since the 1970s when it was handed over to the state government of Western Australia. It operates independently of the Royal Australian Mint system, but its coins are legal tender under the Currency Act of 1965.

Please direct your questions to a JM Bullion associate at 800-276-6508, chat with us live online, or email us.