watchesandwhisky

Today, well this was what was waiting for me when I arrived home today........
 
Feast your eyes on these then

Part 6 in the series, and now that the mere bullion is out of the way, it's time to get classy. Oh no, wait, we're off to Australia. Just kidding of course; the Perth mint certainly don't muck about when it comes to producing top quality silver coins and arguably the most famous is their long-running Kookaburra series.


2014 Kookaburra - designer unknown. Note the P Mintmark on the reverse.

Despite once being a subsidiary of Britain's Royal Mint, the Perth Mint has been fully independent to produce investment bullion since 1987 and could teach it's elderly relative (and others) a thing or two about producing coins. You'll not see too many milk spots or production damage like scratches on these little beauties. Each "kook" features crisp proof-like frosting contrasting with mirror-finished detail, and comes in it's own flush-fitting capsule as well. So, they're nicely made and well presented, but that isn't what has made it such a special collectible.

Since it's introduction in 1990 this coin has featured a new reverse design every single year. Many other coins claim to have changing designs but have sometimes re-used a previous one. Not so the Kookaburra. although no individual artist is credited with the ever-changing sculptures, each year's design is totally unique, showing the distinctive Australian bird either in flight or in it's natural habitat. The obverse has only seen one major change, with the original Raphael Maklouf portait of Queen Elizabeth II replaced by Ian Rank-Broadley's updated and familiar design in 1999.

Production has been especially limited, with maximum mintages (for the 1oz coin) of 300,000 each year, until a generous increase to 500,000 in 2010 which will likely continue for the foreseeable future. This is still dwarfed by the mintages on other popular bullion issues: Half a million Kookaburras still pales in comparison to 40m US Eagles. One year that became slightly easier to get hold of was 1992. The initial production had been some 100,000 coins short of the stated limit, and so (based on dealer demand) it was decided to re-mint up to the 300,000 maximum, which predictably caused quite a controversy amongst collectors worried about their precious premiums. Allegedly such re-minting happened for other years as well, but never exceeding the overall mintage limits, which are quite strict as it is.

In addition to the relative scarcity, the other aspect that makes these coins sought after is the ability to create interesting sets: the coins come in a range of sizes in addition to the standard 1oz, (2oz, 5oz, 10oz and 1kg, minted according to demand) and shapes. Yes thats right, different shapes. Coins are generally round, but a limited number of Kooks in the shape of a map of Australia were produced in 2012 as part of the very rare (and imaginatively named) "Australian Map Shaped Coin" range which has featured a different animal each year.

Then there are various finishes (either proof, high-relief, colourised or gilded) and a spread of years in which a limited number carried privy marks for special commemorations - in fact Perth Mint's first privy-marked coin was a 2oz proof Kookaburra. Collecting every single variation and size would be a challenge to test even the most ardent collector and the stoutest of wallets. If you think you're up to it, just try getting hold of the limited edition 2009 20th anniversary set with it's distinctive "P20" mintmark for starters.

So, apart from the contentious re-minting issue (which at least gives a few more people the chance to own a Kook), this is a truly classic coin series, one that dares to walk the line between bullion and numismatic and arguably succeeds. If £/oz is all you care about, you are catered for elsewhere frankly - this is not for you. But for those who want something a little bit special, something you can enjoy and admire, you could do a lot worse than pick up a Kook next time you are shopping.


 

I`m hoping to get into this myself on a slightly larger scale too.
I`v had fairly good results so far with amounts up to 50g, the refiling side isn`t too much of a problem here with a fully stocked Lab anyway, and the melting of it isn`t as hard as I thought it would be either.
sorry I didn`t take any pictures of my experimental bars (all remelted into shot again how) but if I make some more I`ll take some pics
but I will add that i`m not doing this for Profit reasons, its just a hobby really so no idea about having it assayed or anything, it`s just a bit of fun playing with my favorite metal.
 
I find the surface tension of the molten metal is a bit of a pain for more delicate thiner work, but the little 7g heart shapped buttons i made worked out ok though

Before I went to bed I chucked in a couple of cheeky bids overnight on auctions finishing in the wee small hours, with european sellers selling in US $....
 
Woke up to find I'd won a Sterling Silver 37g Royal wedding medal for £12.15 delivered
 
and a 
 
Canada 2011 Timber Wolf 1 oz, for £14.52 delivered
 
Nice doing that sort of business before breakfast.  

today i bought four bits of  Medieval bronze jewellery, far from my usual things ! but what the hell adds some diversity! these are going into mine and my girlfriends long term shared numi/antique collection.
 
 

today i bought four bits of  Medieval bronze jewellery, far from my usual things ! but what the hell adds some diversity! these are going into mine and my girlfriends long term shared numi/antique collection.
 
 

Something abit different for me:) paid almost double spot price for them...they look high grade though, wont be buying any more strictly for the collection.
 

Something abit different for me:) paid almost double spot price for them...they look high grade though, wont be buying any more strictly for the collection.
 

1973 2 dollar 925 proof crown size. 
 

 
Next one is not the one i have ordered but a better pic.
 

15th April 2014, I had no silver and no gold. I now have 171.6 oz t of silver and 0.59 oz t of Gold. Yeah it does stack up quickly....!

Items from Dave's auction arrived today.
 
The Philly, ASE and Maple are dates which I don't own.  Nothing special really.  The Lunar Snake I already have.
 

 
These on the other hand were what I was after.  2009 Koala. The 2009 Vancouver Thunderbird.  4 X SBSS rounds.  I do have freedom girl but it's the Silver Shield release so this original SBSS release is a nice addition.
 

 
I didn't bother with the Mickey Steamboat release but decided to jump onto the Donald Duck one.  Hopefully it'll appreciate in years to come.  If not, maybe my son or daughter will get into Disney when they get older.
 



 
 
 

Nope literally just bought it on a whim, checked it on numista and it had a rareness rating of 92 - apparently that's high but no idea how accurate the system is,  I could not find Perth mint mintage figures on it neither, So possibly part of a set?
 
I don't have any kook's yet so thought id give one a try. Will report back when it arrives:) design seems very tasteful and condition looks very good so I have quite high hopes for it.

I decided to go for it due to my get out plan, I will probably sell direct to bullionbypost who seem to pay just a few % less than half of pure prices, but you need 5kg to get there best price and when I started I knew I could get that together easier than sterling, also its the premium on sterling coins. Though I do like them and do have some.
 
No idea what BBP do with the 500 but i dont see them selling it there? maybe they do refine it.

A 2012 NGC MS69 Panda, now I have a date run of 2012, 2013, and 2014, and I am waiting to hear about a 2010, and a 2011.
 
Just put a cheeky offer in and Voila it is mine!!!

I decided to go for it due to my get out plan, I will probably sell direct to bullionbypost who seem to pay just a few % less than half of pure prices, but you need 5kg to get there best price and when I started I knew I could get that together easier than sterling, also its the premium on sterling coins. Though I do like them and do have some.
 
No idea what BBP do with the 500 but i dont see them selling it there? maybe they do refine it.

After a wash out at the boot fairs, I've done my usual trawl of ebay. (I find sunday nights great for bargains). But I think I over did it. 
 
Bought a mix of .999 bullion coins, (Pay by paypal so I'll be covered if a dodgy one gets through), Sterling silver coins, and a US peace dollar.)
 
A total of 11.49 oz t for £161.20. Which is an average of £14.03 per oz t. Not too shabby I think. 
 
Now I've just got to pay for it all......!

The 25oz 20mm Cannon bullet arrived today.
Pic of the family with 1, 2,10 and 25 ozers

Another young head victorian sovereign. That's enough sovereigns for me now (ten).
And enough gold for the time being. Now for silver.

oi MH, get off ebay when i'm trying to find a bargain............You're like a ruddy hoover. 

500 grams of sterling, thats more like it:)

Just got a Marshall Islands 1994 Moon Landing proof for £13 delivered. Not a troy oz but still, can't complain! Came in a clear case too. Not my photos but the backs of Marshall Island coins are cool
 

2010 1oz Rwanda Lion Proof in capsule with COA from Germany
New Rwanda Mint 1oz Proof presentation box from US

650 grams of pre 1947 and a silver and amber bracelet. 

Thanks to Morezone, today I recieved my Gairsoppa rounds. My most expensive piece of silver bullion.
 

 
And I also recieved my 1924 Peace Dollar, 1948 Mexican 5 Pesos, and 1875 French 5 Francs. 
 

 
 

Today I received the New Zealand 1oz black rhino, my new favourite coin and 100 1/2 oz lunar horses.