The Australian Kangaroo is a coin issued by The Perth Mint. It was first minted in 1986, but at that time it was different from the coin we know today, as until 1989 it depicted a gold nugget. It was only after three years that a kangaroo, an endemic animal and symbol of the continent, began to be featured on the coin, making the association between the coin and Australia more explicit.
The coin is legal tender in Australia and comes in several weights: from 1/20 ounce to 1 ounce, as well as 2 ounces, 10 ounces, and even 1 kg. The one-kilogram coin was first issued in 1991 – it is the first example of the national mint striking such a large gold coin that is legal tender.
On the other hand, perhaps a kilogram should come as no surprise, considering that in 2011 the mint created a coin weighing 1 ton, with a diameter of 80 cm and a thickness of 12 cm. This broke the record for the largest bullion coin in the world (the previous record was held by the Canadian Maple Leaf, weighing 100 kg – see the first part of the series on bullion coins).
Although bullion coins are considered to be the domain of investors, this specimen is also of particular importance to collectors. This is due to the reverse side, specifically the fact that its appearance changes from year to year. Of course, it always features a marsupial, but each year the design is different (with the exception of the one-kilogram coin, which has remained unchanged since its first issue).
For example, the latest Australian Kangaroo coin depicts an animal running across a plain against a backdrop of hills. The 2021 edition features an image of a majestic kangaroo in a moment of quiet reflection, as described by the mint. The 2020 edition shows an adult kangaroo with a joey among native grasses.
This variability makes bullion coins one of the most popular choices among collectors.
Although the reverse side changes every year, the obverse side has remained unchanged for years. It depicts Queen Elizabeth II. However, this is also likely to change soon due to the succession to the British throne. Future editions may feature a portrait of King Charles III.
The Vienna Philharmonic coin, issued since 1989, completes the big four. It is the first bullion coin with a denomination expressed in euros (although until 2002 it was issued in Austrian schillings) and the only European investment coin. It is commonly referred to as the "Golden Philharmonic." It is issued by the Austrian mint, Münze Österreich AG.
The Vienna Philharmonic coin was initially issued in weights of 1 ounce and 1/4 ounce, and since 1991 also in weights of 1/10 ounce. In 1994, the issue was expanded to include 1/2 ounce, and in 2014 to include 1/25 ounce.
A silver coin has also been available on the market since 2008. It is minted only in 1 oz weight. It has been extremely popular since its launch. A million pieces were minted in the first month alone.
In 2016, the Vienna Philharmonic family also welcomed a new member: the Vienna Philharmonic platinum coin.
Since its inception, the Vienna Philharmonic has been an extremely popular bullion coin. In its first year of issue, it became the best-selling investment coin in Europe and ranked second in the world. According to the World Gold Council, in 1992, 1995, and 1996, the Philharmonic was the most frequently purchased bullion coin in the world.
This coin is popular in Europe, Japan, and North America, and in recent years also in China.
The Vienna Philharmonic gold coin was the first coin of its kind in Austria to be legal tender.
The inspiration for this bullion coin was the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, known for its New Year's concerts, among other things. It is not surprising, however, that music was honored in the country of Mozart, Strauss, and Beethoven.
The obverse of the coin features the grand organ of the Musikverein concert hall in Vienna, where the annual New Year's concert is held. The reverse depicts a number of symphonic instruments, including a harp, a cello, and several pairs of violins, accompanied by the interesting typography of Wiener Philharmoniker.
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