15 Australian dollars is a currency with a rich history. The monetary unit includes several types of coins of different years of minting, which exceed other world’s collectible regarding prestige. In the world of numismatics they are valued for their original appearance, high level of reliability and stable level of the country’s economy. The collection contains many “investment coins” with a limited circulation from precious metals: gold, silver, and platinum. Australian gold coins of the Lunar series are especially valued among them.
History
Most of the Australian 15 dollar coins are collectible items, which issue was dedicated to special events in the life of not only the country but the whole world. Perth Mint is known for the fact that the engravers regularly improve the design of old coins (the issue began in 1966), detailing each of them as much as possible. Exclusive engraving and unsurpassed craftsmanship give value to minted money.
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The Australian Mint produces three types of coins: “investment”, “collectible” and “circulating”. Collectible coins can be used to pay for purchases in stores, but in general, they are produced to be gifts and enrich collections. Coins are distinguished by the uncommon and high-quality images, different colors and decoration, which is unusual for “circulating” coins.
“Investment” copies are issued in small circulations from silver and gold of the highest fineness.
In 2004, Australian silver coins of the Lunar series appeared. It was the first commemorative collection, which was opened by a silver coin with a fineness of 0.9990, weight of 500.5 grams with the image of a monkey. This series was minted at the mint of the Perth city only once, in the corresponding year. For this reason, the circulation is limited, and each coin has considerable value.
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It is worth noting that commemorative money with the signs of a twelve-year cycle was issued in each country, but Australia was the first to start it. The Australian version is considered to be one of the best at the moment, as the level of quality is excellent.
Silver coins of the Lunar series were also issued in 2006 (year of the dog) and 2009 (year of the ox) with the corresponding engraving. The realism of all animals from the eastern horoscope is impressive. The coins are made by the “proof” technology, which can get you a clear, detailed picture that conveys all the smallest details.
So far, 11 types of coins of the Lunar series have been minted. Some of them are made of gold (coins contain 99.9% pure gold)
- 2005 – snake;
- 2007 – pig;
- 2010 – tiger;
- 2012 – dragon (the symbol of the year is made in color);
- 2013 – snake (2 types of coins – in color and colorless);
- 2014 –horse (2 types of coins – in color and colorless);
- 2015 – goat (2 types of coins – in color and colorless).
In 2016, a coin with the image of a monkey was re-issued, and in 2017 – a coin with an engraving of a rooster. The issue of the last 15 Australian dollar coins from this collection is planned for 2019 – the year of the pig.
In Australia, it is customary to mint coins depicting animals that are endemic – platypus, kangaroo, kookaburra, and koala. The first 15 Australian dollar coin of this series was issued in 2007 (platypus), 2011 (kookaburra and a large white shark), then 2012, 2013 and 2015 (koala). However, the most common are Australian gold coins of the Kangaroo series. In the world of numismatics, they have the most significant value, especially copies with marsupials issued in 2012 and 2014.
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Since 1989, coins of the Kangaroo series have been issued annually, but various types of animals were engraved on each of them. One of the main reasons why this collection is so popular is that the design is constantly changing.
Australian coins of the Kangaroo / Gold Nugget series were minted in 1986 for the first time. The first item weighed 1 ounce with a fineness of 99.99 percent (0.9999). The series was issued by the West Australian state-owned company Gold Corporation in 1987. From 1986 to 1988, gold nuggets were depicted on the reverse side, but the design was changed (1989) because they looked more like meteorites.
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In 1851, the Gold Rush began in Australia. In 1890, near Marble Bar, the very first large nugget “Little Hero” was found. Its weight was 333 ounces. Many people passed it, thinking that it was just a piece of iron. However, the gold digger Jack Doyle and his friends paid attention to it. Now the image of the ingot is on the 15-dollar coin of the “Golden Nugget” series.
Design
Australian gold and silver 15 dollars coins have a unique two-tone design that distinguishes them from other coins and adds even more value. The first copy issued in this style is the silver coin “Year of the Monkey”. The reverse of the coin is decorated with an image of an animal, a Chinese hieroglyph and the meaning of the year in English. The obverse invariably shows a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, as well as her name, inscription AUSTRALIA and denomination.
Year of the Snake
Metal: Gold
Weight: 3.11 g
Diameter: 16.1 mm
Obverse: portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain; legend along the rim: «ELIZABETH II», «AUSTRALIA», «2005»,«15 DOLLARS», «1/10OZ 9999».
Reverse: snake in a shape of infinity sign; Chinese hieroglyph on the left and the bamboo stems on the right; inscription “Year of the Snake” at the bottom.
Do you know? It is known that all Australian coins have the image of the ruling monarch on the front side. Currently, that is Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. She was on the throne for many years, so, in total, coins with her five different portraits were issued. Ian Rank-Broadley created her portrait for the “Lunar” and “Kangaroo” series.
Year of the Pig
Metal: Gold
Weight: 3.1103 g
Diameter: 16.1 mm
Obverse: portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain: legend along the rim: «ELIZABETH II, AUSTRALIA, 15 DOLLARS;.
Reverse: image of the pig, which stands on the rocks and looks down; Chinese hieroglyph; year of minting; inscription 1/10OZ 9999.
Year of the Tiger
Metal: Gold
Weight: 3.11 g
Diameter: 16.1 mm
Obverse: portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. A legend along the rim: ELIZABETH II, 1/10OZ 9999, 2010, AUSTRALIA, 15 DOLLARS.
Reverse: head of a tiger; hieroglyph; inscription Year of the Tiger.
Year of the Dragon
Metal: Gold
Weight: 3.11 g
Diameter: 16.1 mm
Obverse: portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain; legend along the rim: ELIZABETH II, 1/10OZ 9999, 2012, AUSTRALIA, 15 DOLLARS».
Reverse: curved body of the dragon; hieroglyph; inscription Year of the Dragon.
Year of the Horse
Metal: Gold
Weight: 3.11 g
Diameter: 16.1 mm
Obverse:portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain; legend along the rim: «ELIZABETH II», «1/10OZ 9999», 2014, AUSTRALIA, 15 DOLLARS;.
Reverse: running horse surrounded by mountains and clouds; hieroglyph; inscription Year of the Horse;.
Year of the Goat
Metal: Gold
Weight: 3.11 g
Diameter: 18.6 mm
Obverse: portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain; legend along the rim: «ELIZABETH II;, ;1/10OZ 9999, 2015,;AUSTRALIA;, 15 DOLLARS.
Reverse: goat on a mountain path; hieroglyph; inscription;Year of the Goat;.
Circulation
- year of the Monkey – 8,000 copies;
- year of the Snake – 1,966 copies;
- year of the Dog – 2,894 copies;
- year of the Pig – 3,030 copies;
- year of the Ox – 5,000 copies;
- year of the Tiger – 12,126 copies;
- year of the Dragon – 5,000 copies;
- year of the Snake – 5,000 copies;
- year of the Horse – 8,000 copies;
- year of the Goat – 9,000 copies.
Gold coins of the “Animals” series were issued with a circulation of 2,500 coins, the “Kangaroo” series – 1,000 copies.
Cost
The first coin of the Lunar series, a silver coin with a monkey, will cost $ 256; gold “Snake”, “Pig” – $ 150; “Dog” – $ 336; silver “Ox” – $ 336; gold “Tiger”, “Dragon”, “Snake”, and “Horse” – 112 $. Kangaroo of 2012 and 2014 will cost from $ 480.