Australia 2015 Kookaburra Beijing Coin Show P25 25th Anniv 50 Cents Silver Proof

Description

In Stock and Ready for Immediate Shipment!
SOLD OUT at the Perth Mint!
$$ - All Kookaburra collectors need this coin! - $$
This proof strike, special edition silver half dollar from the Beijing International Coin Exposition Show features the 25th anniversary Kookaburra design with the unique P25 mint mark - on a rare, FULL PROOF FINISH One Half Troy Ounce Kooka with a tiny mintage limit of just 2,000!
The
kookaburra
is one of the definitive symbols of Australia, the island continent. The Perth Mint and Talisman Coins are proud to bring you this incredible new addition to the renowned
Australian Kookaburra Series
of coins. This one half troy ounce,
pure silver
half dollar
marks the 25th anniversary of Australia's most famous bird. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the
Pure Silver Kookaburra Program
, the Perth Mint brings back the original 1990 design (an adult kookaburra resting atop a tree stump, surrounded by eucalyptus leaves and fern), and adds a special P25 mint mark for good measure and proof finish (the only such 2015 kookaburra issued)!
This special edition, full proof finish silver half dollar
(with a tiny mintage limit of just 2,000)
was issued at the
Beijing International Coin Exposition Show
!
We believe that this will be a real sleeper within the
Silver Kookaburra Series
- full proof finish kookaburra silver half dollars are virtually unheard of! With its extremely limited mintage, we expect Kookaburra collectors to snatch this one up in record time! Get it while you can!
This beautiful coin is part of the highly collectible series of one troy ounce
Pure Silver Kookaburras
. The obverse design of this series, with the kookaburra, changes each year, further enhancing its collectibility. The reverse features a portrait of
Queen Elizabeth II
of the British Commonwealth, of which Australia is a member. The Pure Silver Kookaburra has a face value of
one half dollar
and can be difficult to locate, much less in pristine condition, so we advise you to acquire one you need when you find it.
What's So Funny?
The kookaburra is probably the best known bird of Australia. There are actually four species of kookaburra found in Australia and New Guinea. All are members of the Kingfisher family. Far and away the most familiar is the Laughing Kookaburra (
Dacelo novaeguineae
).
Kookaburras are famous for their unmistakable call, which sounds uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter - good-natured, if rather hysterical, merriment in the case of the Laughing Kookaburra; and maniacal cackling in the case of the slightly smaller Blue-Winged Kookaburra (
D. leachii
). The word "kookaburra" is borrowed from an aboriginal word of the Wiradjura language, "guuguubarra", which is onomatopoeic of (replicates) the avian's call.
Kookaburras are carnivorous. They eat lizards, snakes, insects, mice and raw meat. The more socialized birds will accept handouts from humans and will take raw or cooked meat from open-air barbecues left unattended. Kookas are territorial, and often live with the partly grown chicks of the previous season.
The notoriety of the kookaburra's laugh, as well as its nervy antics, has been spread worldwide by the popular children's song "Kookaburra" by Marion Sinclair. Please see the end of this article for the complete lyrics to the song "Kookaburra".
Obverse
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the
Pure Silver Kookaburra Program
, the Perth Mint brings back the original 1990 design (an adult kookaburra resting atop a tree stump, surrounded by eucalyptus leaves and fern), and adds a special P25 mint mark for good measure! The legend 1/2 OZ 999 SILVER guarantees the weight and purity. The Perth Mint "P25" mint mark is judiciously placed near fern at the 4:00 position near the edge. The legend AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA and the special commemorative date 1990-2015 are also indicated.
Reverse
Her Majesty,
Queen Elizabeth II
, in crowned profile facing right. This portrait, featuring Her Majesty wearing a tiara and pearl earrings, was executed by the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley. The legend ELIZABETH II and denomination also appear.
Packaging
The coin is encapsulated inside a handsome taupe leatherette, clamshell-style presentation case, lined with black velvet and satin, and protected by a
full color
outer box. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included.
Specifications
Country
Australia
Mint
Perth Mint of Australia
Year of Issue
2015
Face Value
50 Cents
Weight
15.591 g
Diameter
32.60 mm
Gauge (Thickness)
3.10 mm
Mintage Limit
2,000
Finish
Proof
Composition
.999 Fine (Pure) Silver
Edge
Reeded (milled, serrated)
Artist
Dr. Stuart Devlin AO CMG (obverse)
Ian Rank-Broadley (reverse)
Certificate
Individually numbered
"Kookaburra" by Marion Sinclair
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree
Merry, merry king of the bush is he
Laugh kookaburra, laugh
Kookaburra, gay your life must be
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree
Eating all the gumdrops that he can see
Stop, kookaburra, stop
Kookaburra, leave some there for me
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree
Chasing all the monkeys he can see
Stop, kookaburra, stop
Kookaburra, that's not a monkey, that's me!
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