Agpanda

These arrived this morning and they`re so cute! much smaller than the picture makes them look and a lot shinier in real life too.  

1/4 oz Lunar Horse. Very nice looking coin. 
 

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've got a date run from 1990-2004 of the 1ozer proofs & a date run of 2oz proofs 1992-2002.For what they cost and how beautiful they are I think they represent fantastic value.
 
Oh forgot about my 10ozers 1991-1998 I need 2 more to complete that run as I'm stopping at the year 2000,I also need 2 more to complete the 2ozers.

You need to get a few of these boxes instead 
holds 50 slabs each

A proof ASE.

Ohhhhh just got a genuine 1983 27g Silver Panda... from a super nice ebayer... bargains can still be had and genuine sellers are still out there!!

My 6 coin Britannia proof set, the £20 for £20 RM coins, the wedge tailed eagles (cheers Strenue) and a 1/10oz gold dragon and horse, now I need the other 5.

You need to get a few of these boxes instead 
holds 50 slabs each

You need to get a few of these boxes instead 
holds 50 slabs each

That now means I am into my fourth NGC slabbed box!!!

1: 1987 gem BU- Eagle
1: 2014 BU- Eagle
1: 1 Oz Engelhard bar (because it's my birthday & felt like splurging.)

Some more....

my wedge tails arrived today , very nice.  Also a couple of 1oz and 2oz Lunar horses

Lovely - no one does frosting quite like Perth mint

Promo 2013 Panda Medallion (I need to buy the Panda book soon) & no, I don't believe the Kook is one of the 1st 2500 struck.  I wonder how they can make such a claim unless the Perth Mint gave them the coins directly and told them so.

Today I got in the post my two new Stock Horses, 2013,2014. Thanks to an evil man called Chris who made me buy them.  
 
As well as a Canadian 2011 wolf which I stole from Ebay for £14.98 delivered
 
And for good measure I got three 2oz lunars delivered at the weekend, but i thought i'd add them to the pic.
 

Wedge-Tails from Strenue.  Everyone's should be arriving any time now.

A 'mixed bag' of stuff.
 
I wonder whether the 2014 1/2oz Koala could be a sleeper.  I'll have to remember to check the final mintage numbers.
 
 

1999 Britannia, still sealed.
 
 
so very true...

Today these....

Today...
 
I bought 6 Morgan Dollars.

a 1/2oz lunar2 horse for £7,51 and a 1oz Panda 2013 for £18,15

Actually bought this yesterday. 1978 Coronation Issue Silver Jubilee Stamp Replica Collection Sterling Silver at 5.15 ASW.  Works out to be £14.66/oz.  It's not in the best condition with the gold plating discolouring but it was cheap enough. Maybe I give it a good polish and see if I can clean it up.

Special delivery while cooking dinner: