Kookaburra coins

1995 Perth Mint 1 oz Kookaburra coin, Uncirculated, Encapsulated
1995 Perth Mint 1 oz Kookaburra silver coin, Uncirculated, Encapsulated

The Kookaburra coins are like miniature works of art stamped on a unique precious metal or bullion coin. They are minted exclusively by Perth Mint of Australia and at .999 fine.

The kookaburra is a kingfisher endemic to Australia. Just like any Australian wildlife coins, the Kookaburra coin is also popular among coin collectors, gift givers, and silver investors. The silver kookaburra bullions are one of the major silver coins to change its design yearly and have a limited mintage.

Australian silver kookaburras come in four sizes at:

•    1 ounce
•    2 ounces
•    10 ounces
•    35.5 ounces or the world’s largest one kilo bullion

Similar to other Australian wildlife coins, the obverse of the Silver Australian Kookaburra coin bears the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

The first Australian Kookaburra coins were minted in 1990. It was released in the numismatic market in two kinds – the standard bullion issue and the proof coin.

The two Kookaburra coin varieties can be distinguished from each other through numerous factors. Some wildlife coin collectors still get confused among the two. Consider these facts:

All Kookaburra coins are bullion and not meant for general circulation. Hence, a standard issue non-proof pure Silver Kookaburra coin remains in BU (bright uncirculated) condition because its owner will always keep it protected. Who would want scratches on his or her coin? The kookaburra coins are too beautiful to devalue!

Moreover, the non-proof BU Kookaburra coins have an uncommon “reverse proof-like” finish.  They have a frosted background or field, and shiny foreground or devices (the kookaburra imprint).

On the other hand, kookaburra proof coins are minted in special dyes, polished, and acid-etched to give it a mirror finish on the background. The foreground will now have a frosted finish. Each Silver Kookaburra proof is accompanied with a certificate of authenticity.

Still confused what Silver Kookaburra coin you have? The other way of determining if your Australian silver Kookaburra is a proof coin or just a regular issue in BU condition bullion, is by looking at its design. Each year, the .999 fine kookaburras change designs. And every annual issue has a different design for the proof and standard Kookaburra coin.

YearProof DesignBU standard issue design
 1990Beak downSitting on a stump
 1991Beak upBeak down
 1992
Feeding babiesBeak up
 1993
Two on branchFeeding babies
1994
Looking to leftTwo on branch
 1995
In flight 
Looking to left
 1996
With babiesIn flight
 1997
Sitting on a branchWith babies
 1998
Big and small kookaburraSitting on a branch
 1999
With clump of leavesBig and small kookaburra
 2000
Two birds on a branchWith clump of leaves
 2001
With Australian mapTwo birds on a branch
 2002
Leaning to the rightWith Australian map
 2003
One in flight, other one at restLeaning to the right
 2004
Resting on diagonal branchOne in flight, other one at rest
 2005
Two birds, one with raised headResting on diagonal branch
 2006
Branch half-submerged in waterTwo birds, one with raised head
 2007
On barbed wire with spider webBranch half-submerged in water