Perth Mint 2012 Bullion Gold and Silver Coin Releases

Due for release on September 1, 2011 comes the first round of gold and silver bullion issues struck by the Perth Mint. Always an exciting time on the numismatic calendar, 2012 will have added significance with the release of the hotly anticipated Year of the Dragon bullion coinage, together with the continuation of traditional series favorites, the Kookaburra. The 2012 Koala Silver Bullion coins will be officially released on November 1st, 2011.


Australia 2012 $1 Year of the Dragon Silver Coin

Sure to set the bullion coin collecting world on fire over the next couple of months, with excited anticipation rumbling across various internet coin collecting forums, comes the "Big 3" from Perth Mint - The Kookaburra, Koala and Lunar Dragon.

Celebrating the auspicious Year of the Dragon, the fifth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, comes the series of Silver Bullion coins ranging from the 1/2oz all the way up to the massive 10 kilogram silver coin. As well as appealing to collectors, these superb releases are perfect for people born in the Year of the Dragon – 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012. Those born under the influence of this sign are said to be confident, enterprising, independent, self-assured, brave and passionate.

With regards to the silver issues, no mintage limit applies to 1 kilo, 10oz, 5oz, 2oz and 1/2oz coins. Except for the 1 kilo release, production of these coins will close at the end of 2012 and The Perth Mint will declare each coin's official mintage. A maximum of 500 10 kilo coins will be produced on a mint-to-order basis. However, production will close at the end of 2012, when the coin's actual mintage will be declared. The Perth Mint will produce up to 300,000 1oz coins. Production will cease when the mintage is fully sold or at the end of the series, whichever comes first. Be warned, the 1oz Year of the Dragon Silver Coin is sure to sell-out very fast, being the most hotly pursued weight of the most hotly pursued lunar series.


Australia 2012 Year of the Dragon Gold Coin

The Year of the Dragon is also available as a gold bullion issue, with sizes ranging from 1/20oz up to a thoroughly impressive 10 Kilogram release. Similarly to the silver issues, there are no mintage limit applied to the 1kg, 10oz, 2oz, 1/2oz, 1/4oz, 1/10oz, and 1/20oz gold coins. However, production will close at the end of 2012, when The Perth Mint will declare each coin's official mintage. A maximum of 100 10kg coins will be produced on a mint-to-order basis. However, production will close at the end of 2012, when the coin's actual mintage will be declared. The Perth Mint will produce no more than 30,000 1oz coins. Production will cease when the mintage is fully sold or at the end of the series, whichever comes first.

Each gold or silver coin’s reverse depicts a dragon with a representation of a pearl. The Chinese character for ‘dragon’ and the inscription ‘Year of the Dragon’ also appear in the design with The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark. The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2012 year-date and the monetary denomination are shown on the obverse of each coin.

Euro Collections International would like collectors to know that Downies/ECI has started an official 2012 Year of the Dragon release blog at www.yearofthedragon.net.au, where you will find upcoming releases on a range of Year of the Dragon lunar coinage from around the world throughout 2011 & 2012.


Australia 2012 Kookaburra Silver Coin

Synonymous with all things Australian, the Kookaburra, with it's distinctive "laughing" call, has come to symbolise the Australian spirit of good nature amongst a sometimes harsh backdrop of conditions. The Kookaburra silver coins have come to be an important addition to world silver bullion releases, and the 2012 issue will be no exception. In 2012, The Perth Mint is releasing three silver bullion coins meticulously struck from 99.9% of silver in 1 kilo, 10oz and 1oz sizes. Only 500,000 1oz coins will be released. No mintage limit applies to 1kg and 10oz coins.

The coin’s reverse depicts a kookaburra sitting on a tree branch amid eucalyptus leaves. The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark and year-date are included in the design. Issued as Australian legal tender, the coin’s obverse bears the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on its obverse.


Australia 2012 Koala Silver Coin

Lastly, but certainly not least of all, we welcome the 2012 Koala bullion silver coin, to be released on November 1, 2011. Needing no introduction, the Koala silver coins have become a well-favoured inclusion in the Australian Silver Bullion Coin Program for several years now. Each year sees the designers at the Perth Mint come up with a new, eye-catching motif to feature on their coins. Released in a range of sizes, the 2012 Koala silver coins present a great range of choice for the investor or collector.

The koala is one of Australia's most popular animals, accounting for the exceptional success of the Australian Koala series. In 2012, The Perth Mint is releasing four silver bullion coins portraying an adult koala asleep on the branch of a tree. The reverse design also includes The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark and monetary denomination. The coin’s obverse bears the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on and is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965.

No mintage limit applies to these coins for 12 months. However, production will close at the end of 2012 and The Perth Mint will declare each coin’s official mintage.

So stay tuned to Euro Collections International - either through our Facebook or Twitter pages, our weekly informative newsletter or just here on the official ECI blog - as our range of 2012 Australia silver and gold bullion coins goes on sale from September 1, 2011.

Introducing the Leonardo da Vinci Codex 24-Piece Silver Coin Collection

A truly magnificent example of numismatic design, this stunning 24-piece silver coin collection has been issued by the authority of Niue Island to celebrate the inventive mind and skill of Leonardo da Vinci.


Niue 2011 $24 The da Vinci Codex Silver Proof Collection

Honouring the extraordinary foresight and technical brilliance of the ultimate Renaissance Man, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), this unique legal tender set is among the most prestigious, most breathtaking numismatic issues ever offered by ECI. An awe-inspiring presentation, the complete 24-coin collection measures a massive 166.80mm x 240mm, and comprises well over a KILO of .999 fine silver!

A gargantuan work of numismatic art, celebrating da Vinci’s Codex, this imposing collection features an incredible TWENTY-FOUR interlinked legal tender coins – each crafted to flawless Proof quality from 42.5g .999 fine silver. Exquisite examples of full-colour minting, each of those coins represents a part of the Codex – an astonishing collection of drawings and prose fusing art, engineering, anatomy and science, highlighted by da Vinci’s iconic Vitruvian Man. Individually superb, the 24 edgeless full-colour coins unite to form a seamless, absolutely perfect recreation of da Vinci’s work. Undoubtedly one of the most thrilling legal tender commemoratives ECI has had the privilege to offer our clients, this collection is also one of the finest presentations we have seen.

Protecting the spellbinding quality of this lavish, unparalleled commemorative issue, this majestic 24 coin .999 fine silver Proof collection is set between two sheets of thick Perspex, and then housed within a top quality timber box. Complete with an elegant stand, so you can display your new acquisition in style, as well as a detailed information booklet incorporating a Certificate of Authenticity confirming the mintage of just 500, every element of this extensive presentation is housed within a beautifully engraved timber case.

The Niue 2011 $24 Leonardo da Vinci Codex Silver Proof Collection is now available to order from our website.

Introducing The World's First Triptych Silver Coin!

By the issuing authority of the Cook Islands, ECI is pleased to present a first in world numismatics with this stunning triptych silver coin, dedicated to the famous Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch and his world renowned work of art entitled "The Garden of Earthly Delights"


Cook Islands 2011 $9 Garden of Earthly Delights Silver Proof Triptych

Hieronymus Bosch was born Hieronymus van Aken. He signed a number of his paintings as "Bosch". The name derives from his birthplace, 's-Hertogenbosch, which is commonly called "Den Bosch". Little is known of Bosch’s life or training. He left behind no letters or diaries so nothing is known of his personality or his thoughts on the meaning of his art. It is generally assumed that either Bosch’s father or one of his uncles (as four out of the five brothers were painters) taught the artist to paint, but none of their works survive. He became a popular painter in his lifetime and often received commissions from abroad. In 1488 he joined the highly respected Brotherhood of Our Lady, an arch-conservative religious group of some 40 influential citizens of 's-Hertogenbosch, and 7,000 'outer-members' from around Europe.

Bosch produced several triptychs. Among his most famous is The Garden of Earthly Delights. This painting, for which the original title has not survived, depicts paradise with Adam and Eve and many wondrous animals on the left panel, the earthly delights with numerous nude figures and tremendous fruit and birds on the middle panel, and hell with depictions of fantastic punishments of the various types of sinners on the right panel. When the exterior panels are closed the viewer can see, painted in grisaille, God creating the Earth. These paintings—especially the Hell panel—are painted in a comparatively sketchy manner which contrasts with the traditional Flemish style of paintings. In this painting Bosch draws with his brush. Not surprisingly, Bosch is also one of the most revolutionary draftsmen in the history of art, producing some of the first autonomous sketches in Northern Europe.

Each panel of the triptych silver coin shows a different panel of the original painting, with the left panel showing the Garden of Eden and the moment that God presented Eve to Adam. The larger middle panel shows the expansive garden landscape from which the painting takes its name. It is neither paradise nor the terrestrial plain, as fantastic creatures are seen mingling with real, all amongst a bevvy of nude males and females engaging in a wide variety of activities. The right panel, perhaps the most famous of the triptych, symbolises Hell, where humans have succumb to the temptations of the Devil and reap eternal damnation.

The three individual coins are all struck from 92.5% sterling silver with the following specification:

Right Panel:
Diameter - 17.50mm x 35.00mm
Weight - 15.56 grams
Denomination - 2 Dollars

Middle Panel:
Diameter - 35.00mm x 35.00mm
Weight - 31.10 grams
Denomination - 5 Dollars

Left Panel:
Diameter - 17.50mm x 35.00mm
Weight - 15.56 grams
Denomination - 2 Dollars

Each panel of the triptych silver coin is individually encapsulated for ultimate protection, and presented in a high quality fold-out timber display unit that beautifully showcases this exquisite numismatic creation. Accompanying this impressive presentation is an information booklet detailing the history of Bosch and further details of the Garden of Earthly Delights painting. Also supplied is a Certificate of Authenticity attesting to the exclusive worldwide mintage of just 500 coins.

The Cook Islands 2011 $9 Garden of Earthly Delights Silver Proof Triptych is currently available through the Euro Collections International website.

Royal Canadian Mint Release Their First Silver & Niobium Coin!

June 16, 2011: The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled the first in a new series dedicated to the Full Moons of the Algonquins - which also happens to be the first coin produced by the RCM to contain the rare metal known as Niobium.


Canada 2011 $5 Full Buck Moon Silver Niobium Proof

Discovered by the English chemist Charles Hatchett in 1801 but not used commercially until the early 20th century, Niobium is employed mostly in alloys, the largest part in special steel such as that used in gas pipelines, as even a tiny percentage of Niobium adds strength to the steel. The metal is also used in electronics, welding, nuclear industries and optics. In numismatics Niobium is used purely as a decorative enhancement to coins, most notably the Silver & Niobium series produced by the Austrian Mint, although other countries such as Latvia and Luxembourg have also had coins struck with Niobium cores (these coins were, however, produced at the Austrian Mint). The ability to colour the Niobium using anodization has made it increasingly popular in the production of jewellery and numismatic products.

As shown in the image above, the inclusion of Niobium adds a quality to the coin that is unobtainable through other methods of colouring coins, such as pad printing. As it is a metal it seamlessly integrates with the silver portion of the coin, creating a marvelous, eye-catching piece of work.

This is the first coin to be released as part of the Royal Canadian Mint's Full Moons of the Algonquin series, with future releases to cover the Full Hunter’s Moon, Full Wolf Moon and Full Pink Moon.

From the Royal Canadian Mint:

In North America, the First Nations tribes that comprise the Algonquin people utilized the lunar cycle as a celestial calendar to track time. They assigned a name to every full moon to reflect the seasonal activities that accompanied its specific cycle. The Algonquin people lived across a vast territory from Lake Superior to the Atlantic—and the geographical differences between them produced a variety of names for each full moon.

July is the quintessential month of summer. Its full moon is known as Thunder Moon or Summer Moon, but its most common name is Buck Moon to reflect the fact that bucks in the North American wilderness are beginning to grow new antlers—a vision of elegance and strength inspired by the ever-changing cycle of life.

Each coin is struck from 8.5 grams of 92.5% sterling silver on a 28mm flan to rigorous Proof standards. The reverse design of this coin, in keeping with it's dedication, features a buck standing in a field, the image struck into the niobium core. Adding further innovation and contrast is the silver moon within the Niobium, possibly the first time this has been done in numismatics.

Each silver and niobium coin is presented in an official wooden flip case, lined with flock and protected by an outer sleeve. These coins are available now from Euro Collections International.

Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Back In The Water - Along Comes The New 2011 Deadly & Dangerous Silver Coin!

June 7, 2011: The Perth Mint has released the latest in the hugely popular Deadly and Dangerous series - with 2011 being the year of the Box Jelly Fish! Struck on commission, this series has seen such nasty creatures as the Red Back Spider, Great White Shark, Blue-Ringed Octopus, Saltwater Crocodile and Brown Snake immortalised on 99.9% fine silver coinage!


Tuvalu 2011 $1 Deadly and Dangerous Box Jellyfish 1oz Silver Proof

Carrying on the tradition of high quality Proof silver coins enhanced with stunning full-colour struck using the Perth Mint's state-of-the-art minting and printing technologies, the D&D Box Jelly Fish 1oz silver release is sure to follow the incredible demand of it's predecessors by selling out rapidly.

Box jellyfish (class Cubozoa) are cnidarian invertebrates distinguished by their cube-shaped medusae. Box jellyfish are known for the extremely potent venom produced by some species. Chironex fleckeri, Carukia barnesi and Malo kingi are among the most venomous creatures in the world. Stings from these and a few other species in the class are extremely painful and sometimes fatal to humans.

Each 2011 Deadly and Dangerous Box Jelly Fish 1oz Silver coin is struck from 31.10 grams of 99.9% pure silver on a 40.60mm flan. The coin features a design of the Box Jelly Fish in it's natural habitat of the ocean, with a small cluster of coral to the left. The coin has been struck as legal tender for the island nation of Tuvalu and comes presented in a stunning, official Perth Mint timber display case with colourful outer shipper box and accompanied by an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

This is a must-have release for collectors of the Deadly and Dangerous series, but also an incredible one-off release for anyone keep to own a piece of this popular annual collection. With no word on whether there will ever be another Deadly and Dangerous coin released, this possibly final entry in the series becomes all the more significant.

Perth Mint June Releases!

June 7, 2011: The Perth Mint has released their June products and ECI is pleased to be able to offer the following items to collectors!


Australia 2011 $1 Australian Rugby Union Men of Gold 1oz Silver Proof

To pay tribute to one of Australia’s greatest sporting institutions, the Perth Mint has released this stunning 99.9% silver coin, enhanced with the Aussie green & gold, for the Australian Rugby Union side, the Wallabies. An iconic piece of memorabilia leading up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand later this year, this impressive 40.60mm precious metal issue, fashioned from 1 troy ounce (31.10 grams) of pure silver, is a must-have keepsake for any sporting enthusiast worth their salt. Struck in impeccable Proof quality and featuring the image of a Wallabies player in action, each silver coin is presented in official, high quality Perth Mint packaging, accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.


Australia 2011 $15 Koala 1/10oz Gold Proof

As part of the 2011 Gold Koala series, ECI has been given an allocation of the 1/10oz Gold Proof, one of the more accessible coins in the series. Struck from 99.99% pure gold on a 16.10mm flan, this exciting gold issue mirrors the same design as on the popular 2011 silver Koala coin. With a worldwide mintage of just 5000, and a price set under $280, the affordability and exclusivity of this eye-catching Koala is sure to generate a great deal of demand. Set within an official Perth Mint case and colourful outer box with Certificate of Authenticity.


Australia 2011 50c Sealife II Hawksbill Turtle 1/2oz Silver Proof

Perhaps the most exciting release for June is this one - the first release in a new series following on from the immensely popular Sea Life series of 2010/2011. Sure to generate as much demand as it's predecessors - all of whom have sold out at the mint with a few even scarce on the secondary market - this Sea Life II series sees a new set of 5 ocean creature-themed coins released over coming months. The first of these is dedicated to the Hawksbill Turtle, and features a fantastic image of the endangered Turtle, brilliantly displayed using the state-of-the-art pad printing techniques of the Perth Mint. Struck from one half troy ounce (15.55 grams) of 99.9% silver on a 36.60mm flan to the highest Proof quality, the limited mintage of just 10,000 coins released worldwide is sure to sell-out fast. With other colourful sea creatures such as the starfish, octopus and manta ray being immortalised in silver as part of this series over the coming months, expectations are high that this sequel series will be as popular as it's predecessor. Each high quality silver coin is supplied in a Perth Mint jewel case with full-colour outer shipper, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity confirming the limited worldwide mintage.

New Series of Silver Coins Released For Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie

May 30, 2011: The Perth Mint, in conjunction with Hasbro, has released a second series of full-colour Transformers silver coins. The coins have been issued to celebrate the third film in the Transformers blockbuster franchise, Transformers: Dark of the Moon - due for release in cinemas on June 30. This second series, coming after the two coins released in 2009 to celebrate the second Transformers movie, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, sees three silver coins issued, each featuring a different character from the Transformers universe.


Tuvalu 2011 $1 Transformers Optimus Prime 1oz Silver Proof

The first coin features Optimus Prime, leader of the heroic Autobots. An Optimus Prime silver coin was also issued as part of the 2009 series, however this 2011 coin features an all new design coupled with the expert full-colour printing technique that the Perth Mint has become famous for.


Tuvalu 2011 $1 Transformers Megatron 1oz Silver Proof

A Megatron coin was also issued in the 2009 series, and as with the 2011 Optimus Prime silver coin, this 2011 release also features a brand new design, taken from the Transformers: Dark of the Moon film. Megatron, for those who don't know, is the leader of the ruthless Decepticons.


Tuvalu 2011 $1 Transformers Bumblebee 1oz Silver Proof


What is sure to excite collectors of the series and fans of the movie franchise alike is the inclusion this year of an official Bumblebee silver coin. After the 2009 release there were a lot of people hoping that a new series would see a coin fashioned with the likeness of the loveable "little brother" of the Autobots, and they're prayers have been answered.

As the final battle looms between the shape-shifting alien Autobots and Decepticons, official movie coins celebrating Transformers: Dark of the Moon have been released by The Perth Mint.

Designed for addicts of Michael Bay's latest sci-fi epic, each coin is a magnificent, legal tender collectable superbly struck from pure silver.

The coloured coin designs portray fan-favourites Optimus Prime, Megatron and Bumblebee. Each coin comes in an exclusive presentation box which adds to its attraction as a commemorative.

Opportunities to secure the three coins are, however, strictly limited. Just 5,000 of each design will be released worldwide accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity confirming its rarity. Order now to avoid disappointment!

Also available is the Tuvalu 2011 $1 Transformers Silver Proof Complete Collection - get all three silver coins together and save almost $50 off the individual retail price! The coins are available by clicking the links above or visiting Euro Collections International