Kookaburra coins
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.
| Year | Proof Design | BU standard issue design |
| 1990 | Beak down | Sitting on a stump |
| 1991 | Beak up | Beak down |
| 1992 | Feeding babies | Beak up |
| 1993 | Two on branch | Feeding babies |
| 1994 | Looking to left | Two on branch |
| 1995 | In flight | Looking to left |
| 1996 | With babies | In flight |
| 1997 | Sitting on a branch | With babies |
| 1998 | Big and small kookaburra | Sitting on a branch |
| 1999 | With clump of leaves | Big and small kookaburra |
| 2000 | Two birds on a branch | With clump of leaves |
| 2001 | With Australian map | Two birds on a branch |
| 2002 | Leaning to the right | With Australian map |
| 2003 | One in flight, other one at rest | Leaning to the right |
| 2004 | Resting on diagonal branch | One in flight, other one at rest |
| 2005 | Two birds, one with raised head | Resting on diagonal branch |
| 2006 | Branch half-submerged in water | Two birds, one with raised head |
| 2007 | On barbed wire with spider web | Branch half-submerged in water |
About The Author
The Coin Collector
I am passionate about the historical, cultural, and artistic aspects of currency. I collect coins and banknotes from various countries and time periods, focusing on specific themes, time periods, or regions that I find interesting. I also love to study the historical context of the currency that influenced coinage and currency issuance.