The longest-running silver coin program from the Perth Mint is the Australian Silver Kookaburra. The coin which set the standard for bullion coinage from the Perth Mint, Silver Kookaburra’s debuted in 1990 and have provided investors with a new design of the bird species on the reverse with each subsequent release. The 2019 Australian Silver Kookaburras not only mark the 30th new design in the collection, but also the first change to Queen Elizabeth II’s effigy on the obverse side of the coin since 1998. Learn all about the latest issue of the Australian Silver Kookaburra now!
2019 Silver Kookaburra Design
For the 2019 1 oz Australian Silver Kookaburra release, and the other available weights, the Perth Mint introduces the image of a lone kookaburra in a very detailed design element. The kookaburra is depicted sitting on the branch of a sunken tree which protrudes from the water. The kookaburra is outsized as the dominant figure in the foreground of the coin’s design on the reverse. The water’s edge is filled with marsh grass and small tree to the right of the main design element and the distant background depicts the sun setting over the horizon. As that sun sets, its rays reflect off the ripples of the water. Engravings around the design field include “Australian Kookaburra,” “2019 1 oz 9999 Silver,” and the “P” mint mark of the Perth Mint.
The New Jody Clark Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II
Since 1998, the Perth Mint has used Ian Rank-Broadley’s fourth-generation British portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Though she is Queen of England first and foremost, as the leader of the Commonwealth nations she is also head of state for various other countries. Included in that list is her title as Queen of Australia. In 2016, the Royal Mint of England transitioned to a new fifth-generation design and that is now making its way to Australian coinage for the 2019 bullion release schedule.
The 2019 Australian Silver Kookaburra is the first of the three major coins, along with the Silver Koala and Silver Kangaroo, available from the mint and that makes it the first to feature the new effigy of Her Majesty. The design comes from Jody Clark of the Royal Mint of England and is actually the sixth effigy of the Queen to feature on Australian coinage since her ascension to the throne in 1952. This right-facing portrait keeps with the tradition of Her Majesty’s effigy, but also breaks the mold of recent designs. Compared to British coinage, Australian coins will feature this latest effigy with Her Majesty’s neckline and shoulders visible while the Queen wears the Royal Diadem crown and the Victorian coronation necklace around her neck. This is the first time since 1966 that an Australian coins has featured the Queen’s neckline and shoulders.
2019 Australian Silver Kookaburra Availability and Packaging
The 2019 Australian Silver Kookaburra release includes a total of three coins to choose from, but the first of these to be released in the primary 1 oz silver bullion coin. The 2019 1 oz Australian Silver Kookaburra coin is the only one with a mintage cap, which has been set at 500,000 coins for the year. The 1 oz coins are packaged in individual protective capsules, sealed rolls of 20 coins, or boxes of 100 coins that contain 5 rolls of 20 coins.
In addition the 1 oz Australian Silver Kookaburra coin, the Perth Mint issuing the usual 10 oz and 1 Kilo options in this program. Available in these weights since 1992, the larger coins contain .9999 pure silver content as well with a Brilliant Uncirculated condition when originally issued from the mint. These coins have face values of $10 (AUD) and $30 (AUD), respectively, and are available to purchase inside of individual protective capsules.
The 10 oz and 1 Kilo coins in the 2019 Australian Silver Kookaburra release have unlimited mintage figures. The Perth Mint is committed to striking the coin in these two weights while demand persists, but will only do so through a 12-month period following the initial release of the two larger weights.
What is a Kookaburra?
The kookaburra is a terrestrial tree kingfisher in the greater kingfisher species. The birds are native to Australia and New Guinea, with the birds widely spread across diverse areas of the Australian continent. Though the other members of the kingfisher species are often associated with the water, the kookaburras on the Australian continent are particularly associated with the coastal regions of the country. They are primarily found in the humid forests and arid savannas, with some straying into suburban areas with tall trees and/or running water. The species name “kookaburra” comes from the Wiradjuri language which used the word “guuguubarra” to identify the birds.
Shop Now for the 2019 Silver Kookaburra at JM Bullion!
The 2019 1 oz Australian Silver Kookaburra coin is already available to you for purchase online from JM Bullion. In the coming weeks, you’ll find the 10 oz and 1 Kilo 2019 Silver Kookaburras coming online. If you have questions about buying silver, you can call us at 800-276-6508, chat with us live online, or simply send us an email. We encourage you to keep reading the blog for weekly updates on new coins and follow us on Facebook for regular updates on new coins, sneak-peak images, and other helpful information.