…The Queen approves commemorative coin …
To mark World Youth Day in Sydney in July 2008, The Perth Mint is releasing a 1oz Gold Proof Coin. Hundreds of thousands of participants are expected to celebrate the occasion with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, who is coming to Australia for the first time. This commemorative coin is of 99.99% pure gold in proof quality. The coin is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965.
The coin’s reverse depicts a Vatican-approved image of His Holiness The Pope. The design, which includes the official WYDSYD08 logo, also incorporates the Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The coin’s obverse portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
No more than 1,000 of these gold proof commemoratives will be released by The Perth Mint. Each coin is housed in a timber display case with the WYDSYD08 logo on the lid. The case comes in a red box shipper portraying a coloured image of The Pope and the WYDSYD08 logo on the lid.
In addition not more than 25,000 commemorative coins from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality are also being struck.
The coin is also being issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965. The coin’s reverse depicts a Vatican-approved coloured image of His Holiness The Pope with Her Majesty’s effigy portrayed on the coin’s obverse portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Each coin is housed in a timber display case with the WYDSYD08 logo on the lid. The case comes in a black box shipper portraying a coloured image of The Pope as well as the logo.
…200th anniversary of the Rum Rebellion…
The Perth Mint has also released 1oz Holey Dollar and Dump Set struck from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Rum Rebellion. This is also Australian Legal Tender.
The rectangular Dump portrays an historic coloured cartoon of the Rum Rebellion, reproduced with permission from the Mitchell Library. It depicts a rebel’s eye view of Bligh’s "arrest," a version no doubt invented to do him damage.
….220th anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet…
In addition, on the 220th anniversary of the First Fleet, The Perth Mint has struck a commemorative coin from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality which is surrounded by a spectacular ring of silver proof ‘jigsaw’ medallions portraying the ships of the First Fleet: Alexander, Borrowdale, Charlotte, Fishburn, Friendship, Golden Grove, Lady Penrhyn, Prince of Wales, Scarborough, HMS Sirius and HMS Supply. The 12th medallion depicts a stylised compass and the iconic Southern Cross constellation. The obverse of each medallion depicts a pattern of stylised waves and the Southern Cross.
The Perth Mint offers a range of commemorative coins at various prices. A catalogue is available on line.