Australian International Year of Astronomy Silver Coin

May 22 marks the release date of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Silver Proof Coin from the Perth Mint of Australia. With an extremely limited mintage of only 7500, this colorful 99.9% pure silver coin is sure to put a twinkle in your eye!

As usual for an Australian coin, the coin's obverse depicts an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that was designed by the Ian Rank-Broadley. It also includes the inscriptions "Elizabeth II", "2009" and the denomination of "One Dollar".

What truly makes this coin different is the reverse which portrays two young people using a telescope to observe a colored representation of the night sky. This field of color shows several reddish hues from light to dark and bright silver stars that form a pattern like the constellation "Southern Cross." The Perth Mint's 'P' mintmark is present, as well as the inscription "International Year of Astronomy 2009."

About the International Year of Astronomy

The International Year of Astronomy has over 137 participating countries. According to the official web site, the celebration was created for the following reason:

"The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is a global effort initiated by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and UNESCO to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery."

2009 was chosen because it marks the 400th anniversary of the creation of a telescope by famed scientist Galileo Galilei. Among many other credits attributed to him, the creation of his telescope allowed him to be the first witness of such marvels as some of the moons of Jupiter. Galileo is also said to be the first to see that the moon had mountains and craters.

Order details

The Perth Mint coin honoring this celebration comes in a black presentation case and includes a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. It is priced at $81.36 AUS (~66.42 US) and is available from the Mint store at the following location:

International Year of Astronomy 2009 1oz Silver Proof Coin

2009 International Year of Astronomy Silver Coin Image

About the Perth Mint

The Perth Mint, wholly-owned by the State Government of Western Australia, is the official issuer of the Australian Federal Government's Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program. The Mint opened in 1899 in response to the discovery of rich gold deposits in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. It was Australia's third branch of Britain's Royal Mint - the others being the Sydney Mint and the Melbourne Mint (both closed).

The Perth Mint remained under Britain's jurisdiction until 1 July 1970, when ownership transferred to the State Government of Western Australia.

In 2003, The Perth Mint officially opened an 8,400 square metre state-of-the-art manufacturing facility next door to its original limestone building. Dominating the Mint's heritage precinct, these two important buildings are powerful symbols of more than 100 years of minting excellence in Western Australia.

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