Introduction
Today's featured coin is the 1oz Silver 2015 Australian Kookaburra coin struck by the Perth Mint. 2015 was as special year for the Australian Kookaburra coin program as it marked the 25th anniversary, celebrating 25 years since the original coin design was issued in 1990. The original 1990 coin was designed by Dr Stuart Devlin, the 2015 coin design echoes the 1990 coin design, see the image below of the two designs side by side.
I am still a die hard fan of the original 1990 coin design, especially in the square capsules, but the 2015 coin design is a great way to celebrate 25 years of this iconic coin program.
Mintage
The maximum mintage of the bullion coin was 500,000 and the coin issue was SOLD OUT. The coin was issued as legal tender under the authority of Australia with a denomination of one dollar. The other bullion coin sizes issued in 2015 were the 10oz and the 1kg coins. The table below shows the maximum mintage and declared mintage totals.
| Year | Denomination | Description | Maximum Mintage | Declared Mintage |
| 2015 | $30 | 1kg Bullion Kookaburra Coin 2015 | unlimited | 27,094 |
| 2015 | $10 | 10oz Bullion Kookaburra Coin 2015 | unlimited | 26,272 |
| 2015 | $1 | 1oz Bullion Kookaburra Coin 2015 | 500,000 | SOLD OUT |
Coin Purity
From the year 1990 until the 2018 edition the coins were .999 fine silver, the recent editions of the coins have increased their purity to .9999 silver.
Coin Details
| Mint/Brand: | The Perth Mint |
| Silver Content: | 1 Troy Ounce |
| Purity: | .999 Fine Silver |
| Denomination: | $1 (Australian) |
| Year of Issue: | 2015 |
| Edge: | Milled |
| Weight: | 31.135g |
| Diameter: | 40.60mm |
| Thickness: | 2.98mm |
| Maximum Mintage: | 500,000 |
| Declared Mintage: | SOLD OUT |
Design
Bullion Coin
The reverse of the coin depicts an adult Kookaburra sitting on a tree stump surrounded by eucalyptus leaves and a fern. The design includes an inscription 'Australian Kookaburra', the 'P25' mintmark, and the years 1990-2015.
The obverse of the coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination of Australian 1 Dollar.
Privy Coin
The reverse of the coin for the privy design depicts the same 2015 adult Kookaburra sitting on a tree stump surrounded by eucalyptus leaves and a fern, with the addition of the Lunar Goat privy mark to the right of the kookaburra. The design includes an inscription 'Australian Kookaburra', the 'P25' mintmark, and the years 1990-2015.
The obverse of the coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination of Australian 1 Dollar.
High Relief Coin
The reverse of the coin for the privy design depicts the same 2015 adult Kookaburra sitting on a tree stump surrounded by eucalyptus leaves and a fern. The high relief finish is very impressive with the thick milled sides and deep etched design of these coins. The design includes an inscription 'Australian Kookaburra', the 'P25' mintmark, and the years 1990-2015.
The obverse of the coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination of Australian 1 Dollar.
Proof Coin
The reverse of the coin for the proof design depicts the same 2015 adult Kookaburra sitting on a tree stump surrounded by eucalyptus leaves and a fern, with a high quality mirror finish as the background of the coin. The foreground finish of the coin has a high quality matte finish. The design includes an inscription 'Australian Kookaburra', the 'P25' mintmark, and the years 1990-2015.
The obverse of the coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination of Australian 1 Dollar.
Coin Purchase Quantity
The Australian Kookaburra 1oz coins are sold as single coins, in sealed rolls of twenty 1oz coins or you can purchase a 100oz box that includes fives sealed rolls of twenty 1oz coins. The advantage of buying in higher quantities is that the bullion dealers offer volume breaks or discounts the more coins you buy.
Coin Display
There are many options on how best to store and display your Australian Kookaburra 1oz coin collection. One great option is to purchase a purpose built presentation box. There are different varieties out there, but the one on the photo below holds up to twenty 1oz Silver Kookaburra coins. The black velour-lined tray is designed to fit 1oz Silver Kookaburra coins in their original mint capsules.
Coin Protection
Each 1oz Silver Kookaburra coins is stored in their original mint plastic capsules. It is highly recommended that you keep your silver bullion coins in their capsules to prevent tarnishing of the coin. If the original plastic capsule gets scratched, damaged or cracks, you can buy new plastic capsules from your trusted bullion dealer.
When handling your 1oz Silver Kookaburra coins, for extra protection use a pair of cotton gloves. Cotton gloves protect your silver coins from oils in your fingers that may cause discoloration, damaging the coin's finish. I have formed the habit to use cotton gloves even when I am handling silver coins in their plastic capsules.
