The Perth Mint of Australia has officially unveiled the designs for their 2014-dated gold and silver bullion coins. Each program features a reverse design which changes annually and some coins are subject to maximum mintages. These two factors serve to drive some numismatic interest towards the respective series and sometimes result in premiums above the bullion value.
All of the following coins are struck in .9999 gold or .999 silver. The obverse design of each features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.
The 2014 Year of the Horse Silver Coins feature a depiction of two horses within a stylized Chinese landscape. This will mark the seventh release within the Australian Lunar Series II. The coins are available in 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz, 1 kilo, and 10 kilo sizes. There are maximum mintages of 300,000 of the 1 oz coins and 200 of the 10 kilo size coins. The remaining sizes do not carry a maximum mintage. The line up of coins and maximum mintage levels are unchanged from the prior year.
The 1/2 oz, 1 oz, and 2 oz bullion coins will be available starting September 2, 2013. The remaining sizes (except the 10 kilo) will be available starting October 1, 2013.
The 2014 Year of the Horse Gold Coin features a horse galloping amidst a stylized scene of mountains and clouds. The bullion coins will be available across nine different sizes including 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz , 1 oz, 2 oz, 10 oz, 1 kilo, and 10 kilo. The 1 oz coins are subject to a maximum mintage of 30,000 and the 10 kilo coins have a maximum mintage of 10. The available sizes and maximum mintage for the 1 oz coin remain the same as the prior year. The maximum for the 10 kilo coin was reduced from 100 pieces in the prior year.
All sizes except for the 10 kilo coins will be available from September 2, 2013.
The 2014 Australian Silver Koala features a close up portrayal of an adult koala with a spray of gum leaves. The available sizes include 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 10 oz, and 1 kilo sized coins. As in the prior year, there are no maximum mintages established for any of the coins. The worldwide release date for all sizes is November 5, 2013.
The 2014 Australian Silver Kookaburra features a new depiction of the iconic bird sitting on a tree branch and surrounded by gum leaves. The coins will be available in three sizes including 1 oz, 10 oz, and 1 kilo. There is a maximum mintage of 500,000 established for the 1 oz coins. In the previous year, the maximum mintage for the 1 oz size was 1,000,000 pieces. The release date for all sizes will be September 2, 2013.
Update: Although the 2013 Kookaburra 1 oz Silver bullion coin was initially indicated with a maximum mintage of 1,000,000, later in the year the final mintage was declared at 500,000 pieces.
The 2014 Australian Kangaroo Gold Coins feature a depiction of a kangaroo set against a fenced rural property. This design is used for the 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz sized coins. The 1 kilo sized coin features the classic red kangaroo design by Dr. Stuart Devlin. Maximum mintage have been established for 100,000 of the 1/2 oz coins, 150,000 of the 1/4 oz coins, and 200,000 o the 1/10 oz coins. There are no limits for the remaining 1 oz and 1 kilo sizes. In the previous year, a maximum of 350,000 had been established for the 1 oz coins. All coins will be released on October 1 , 2013.
Completing the Perth Mint’s bullion range is the 2014 Australian Platinum Platypus coins. The design features the platypus within an underwater scene surrounded by bubbles and plant life. As opposed to the other programs, this is the same design that has been used since the introduction of the series in 2011. The availability date and other details for the upcoming release have not been specified. In prior years, only 1 oz size coins have been offered with a limited mintage.
CaptainOverkill says
I’ve said this in other places, but with the Year of the Dragon now two years behind us, I’m expecting the horse coins to sell relatively sluggishly (though I’ve no doubt the one ounce bullion coins will sell well, as always).
I do, however, think the artwork for the horses is magnificent. Perth always does a good job with these.
Samuel says
Captain, i want to ask you a question about the kilo ruby eye dragon u bought. i found out that the 5oz colored dragon, the body of the dragon is flat, not like the no-color one, which you can see the scales of the dragon.
im just a bill says
that is correct Samuel, i have the kilo dragon in color, and it is smooth where the color is.
anyway, the koala looks funny, like a cross between a raggedy ann doll and an electric shoe buffer.
the kook looks better this year tho, not like a pineapple for the past few years.
CaptainOverkill says
Samuel,
I’ll double check and post again when I get home tonight but I think bill is correct.
Louis says
The koala design is a bit disappointing. The others are excellent esp. the silver horse. If silver stays in the $25 or so range I think the horses will do well. I’d love to see the design on say the 5 oz if I can find it for a reasonable premium.
Rolling-Thunder says
I believe the 2013 Kookaburra was originally to be minted to 1 million, but with complaints from customers, that Perth set it back down to 500,000 as in past years and as stated for 2014.
Like the 2014 silver horse(s) and the kookaburra, reserving opinion on koala till I see one. I think those 300,000 1 oz silver horses will be sold out fast!
Prester John says
Yay!
I’ve been lobbying for the Predator Alien to get his own coin – and now my dream has com…….ohhh…. it’s koala. Nevermind.
Wes says
Like the year of the horse coins. They are far better than the Snake coins.
Samuel says
im just a bill, Captain, thanks for the info.
Michael Zielinski says
Rolling Thunder- Good catch. Yes, the 2013 Kookaburra 1 oz mintage was originally indicated as 1 million, but later capped at 500,000.
VABEACHBUM says
That Koala surely does look sad; probably because he saw the artwork for his 2014 coin. The Horse coin does look sharp, and as the Perth bullion coins use the reverse proof effect on the devices, they should have some great eye appeal. I also like the fact that this horse presentation and the above Gold Kangaroo presentations also will be used on the respective Silver High Relief issues. Those should be stellar. HR probably will not help that sad Koala, though. At that point, he’ll also be sad that NYM is the only reseller of his coins in the States!!!
@ Louis and off-topic… I’m really interested in your thoughts on the Ironside’s Anniversary 50 Pence pieces being offered by the Royal Mint. I like the piece, and the mintages are tempting, but the listed prices for 8 and 16 gram Sterling is really hard to justify. Thanks!!
fmtransmitter says
Agreed with Koala comments, that is just horrible. Love the Kook and the Horses look sharp as well.
CaptainOverkill says
Samuel,
If you’re still watching the thread, bill was correct. The “painted” area’s details are somewhat smoothed down.
I agree the koala is unimpressive. Prester John’s comment really made me laugh.
ibex66 says
The Koala is downright scary. The Kook has a comb over but comparitvely speaking isn’t bad.
Fosnock says
I guess they are trying to kill the Koala coin or get voted most ugly coin of the year. I collect them so I will get it but damn its ugly.
fmtransmitter says
More gum leaves to hide the Bozo the Clown effect…
Louis says
Hi VAB- I think the piedfort is a nice piece and the 1500 mintage is indeed low, but I think the prices are too high. In my view the Royal Mint would do well to try to lower prices on many of its coins as Perth has done. Thanks for asking.
VABEACHBUM says
Thanks, Louis! Apparently, we’re in the majority, as neither piece shows any indication of rampant interest or near sell-out status. I may wait to see how the secondary market supports these coins.
BTW – my CC has been charged and my RM order shows “completed” for my St George Silver Coins. I expect to receive them any day now!!
Samuel says
Captain, thanks.
my CC is not charged for the RM coin yet.
Wes says
Not many RM Birth St George silver coins have been on Ebay. A few were on pre-order but most may still be waiting for their orders to be completed.I don’t plan on flipping my one order but I don’t like that 2500 of them may still be offered in their own presentation from someone in the U.S.
Louis says
Remember that plenty of the St. George coins went to Downies and ECI too. I just got my 2nd one which is from ECI. I also think many buyers from the Royal Mint will not sell as I will not sell the one I got from them either.
By the way, as we move close to the release of the new Perth horses and kooks, if anyone sees a bullion dealer with a good price, please let us know. The best prices I have seen so far are at Silber Corner but shipping is very high, and it would only be worth it for a large order or a group order.
Louis says
Actually, now I see APMEX has what look like good prices esp. on the kooks.
VaBeachSteve says
I received my Silver Sovereign coin today and what a beauty it is … I’m just curious if anyone will be sending their coin(s) in for grading? I’ve never submitted coins before but was wondering if it would be worthwhile
Louis says
Tried to order a couple 1 oz horses but they went too fast. There will be more later.
Louis says
Also, with all the e-mails APMEX sends, they could have sent one saying they were taking orders for the new horse coins.
Louis says
One other thing- Has anyone receive a Britannia proof set yet, the 5-piece set, from the mint?
Schalk says
Louis
Yes, I have received the Britannia proof set today.
Louis says
Thanks, Schalk. I wish the Royal Mint sent tracking info. like other mints do.
Brent says
just noticed that paradise mint has the 1oz silver horses for sale on their site