Discover Australia 2009 Dreaming Series of Coins: Designs and Prices

The Perth Mint’s Discover Australia program makes it 2009 debut with a fresh set of coins named The Dreaming Series. The new pure silver, gold and platinum coins bear fascinating designs depicting "iconic aspects of Australian wildlife, landscape and culture."

Western Australian graphic designer Darryl Bellotti from The Perth Mint portrays three different interpretations of a kangaroo, dolphin, king brown snake, brolga and echidna. In total, 15 coins have been issued with five struck in proof 99.99% pure gold, five in 99.9% pure silver and five in 99.95% pure platinum.

Describing the new series as one of the most significant planned by The Perth Mint in 2009, Chief Executive Officer Ed Harbuz expressed confidence that the coins would generate tremendous interest around the world.

"Auction houses and galleries prove that Aboriginal art continues to be extremely popular," he said. "Darryl’s remarkable work can only extend the reach of its appeal by exposing it directly to large numbers of coin collectors worldwide."

Silver Coin Designs

The obverse or heads side of each coin bears the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Mint’s description for the reverse or tails side of each of the one-ounce silver, Australian legal tender coins follows:

Kangaroo Design With Colour

The coin’s reverse depicts a unique interpretation of a kangaroo – Australia’s best known marsupial.  The design is enhanced with a coloured representation of the landscape.

Dolphin Design With Colour

The coin’s reverse depicts a unique interpretation of a dolphin – a highly social animal that inhabits bays and estuaries all around Australia.  The design is enhanced with a coloured representation of its marine environment.

King Brown Snake Design With Colour

The coin’s reverse depicts a unique interpretation of a king brown snake – a highly venomous snake often found in Australia’s mulga woodlands.  The design is enhanced with a coloured representation of the landscape.

Brolga Design With Colour

The coin’s reverse depicts a unique interpretation of a brolga – an Australian grey crane well known for its mating dance.  The design is enhanced with a coloured representation of the sky.

Echidna Design With Colour

The coin’s reverse depicts a unique interpretation of an echidna – an Australian monotreme, or egg-laying mammal.  The design is enhanced with a coloured representation of the landscape.

Prices and order information

The Perth Mint currently has each silver coin priced at:

• $75.00 (AUS)
• $50.88 (US)

A special five-coin set is also available for:

• $375.00 (AUS)
• $254.40 (US)

The silver, gold or platinum coins may be ordered through the Mint page:

Discover Australia The Dreaming Series

It should be noted that the Mint adjusts prices daily based on bullion and currency prices, so the actual prices could very slightly from those listed here.