Today's featured coin is the 2002 Silver Proof Australian Kookaburra - 1/2oz Square Coin struck by The Perth Mint. This coin depicts a kookaburra sitting on a eucalyptus tree branch. This coin design is very unique as it is the first square coin to be issued in Australia legal tender.
Square Coin History
The history of the Australian square coin is actually quite an interesting story. It started back in 1919, when the Labor Government at the time wanted to incorporate Australia’s native bird into the nation’s coinage. In a political move the Government was trying to move away from British coin designs, in an effort to encourage the wave of nationalism that was sweeping Australia post World War I.
To cut a long story short, the reaction from the public at the time was not favourable, with widespread resistance. The small size of the coin was not popular amongst the elderly population, but ultimate determining factor as to why the coin was not adopted is that the vending machines in operation at the time required the use of circular coins.
Over a three year period from 1919 - 1921 only 200 trial pieces were minted, depicting different coin design options. It is a rather sad story that coins were not issued into circulation as I think the square Kookaburra coins designs were incredible. As a consolation, we now have the beautiful proof quality silver version of the square Kookaburra coin to collect and enjoy.
Original One Penny vs Square One Penny
I thought I would share an image of the original Australian One Penny coin in comparison the the proposed design of the Square Kookaburra One Penny. It is a tough one, because I love both designs.
The original One Penny coin was a bronze based coin, whereas the Square One Penny was predominantly a nickel based coin. Another interesting point to note about the obverse design of the two coins, the original One Penny had a crowned monarch portrayed on the coin, whereas the Square One Penny had an uncrowned monarch portrayed. This was another sign on the Australian nationalistic mood at that time.
2002 1/2oz Silver Proof Australian Kookaburra
I am fortunate enough to have one of these carded square coins in my silver collection. This coin was the first year of a three year series of square 1/2oz silver kookaburras, the series spanned from 2002 - 2004. It may have been coincidental or planned by The Perth Mint, but the original square Kookaburra trial coins also spanned over the three year period 1919 - 1921.
source wynyardcoins.com.au
