Some coin collectors have a desire for acquiring, as part of their treasured possessions, a collection of silver bullion coins with exotic animals as their icons. These collectors would for sure find great value in the Australian Silver Koala issued by the Perth Mint of Western Australia.

This particular mintage is a follow-through of the super successful introduction of the Australian Silver Kookaburra by the same mint in 1990 and the Australian Kangaroo in 1993 by the Royal Australian Mint. Having all three in coins should be a superb combination for a thematic animal-inspired silver bullion collection.

The Australian Silver Koala was first struck two years ago by the Pert Mint, which is famous for coins of excellent workmanship and innovative designs. The 1997 first year of mintage was an instant success as the koala whose image the coin bears is a well-loved creature the world over.

Numismatists of course will tell you that it would be erroneous to call this coin as the “Australian Silver Koala Bear,” although there is a certain rhyme to this term. The koala is scientifically classified under the genus Phascolarctos, which is rooted from the Greek word “phaskolos,” for pouch, and the misleading “arktos,” for bear. The koala, however, is a marsupial, an arboreal or tree-dwelling animal found only in the tropical forests of Australia.

The jungle, nonetheless, is no place for the Australian Silver Koala, but would be more at home at some treasure chests. This collectors delight is a 1-oz coin made from 99.9% pure silver in a koala design that changes each year.

The latest edition has the image of a young koala clinging to a tree branch. The Perth Mint struck the 2008 mintage of the coin with a different design which features that of a mother koala perched on a tree with a baby Phascolarctos at her back.

This 2008 mint also has a gold coin edition in addition to the silver standard, firmly establishing that there is indeed alot of treasures to be found Down Under!

The Australian Silver Kookaburra should enchant both the coin collector and numismatist alike. Collectors who look upon birds as their theme specialty will be happy to know that this silver coin conveys the image of the local Australian bird kookaburra furrowed in relief.

This bird is a land-based member of kingfisher family which is classified under the genus Dacelo. This large kingfisher is most peculiar for its loud bird call akin to good-natured human laughter. This pleasant disposition of the bird plus the fact that it is found only in Australia are perhaps the main reasons why the Perth Mint in Australia decided to honor the Kookaburra in a silver coin.

The Australian Silver Kookaburra first came out of the Perth Mint at Western Australia in 1990. An introduction which many numismatists must have already taken careful note of as this coin is already nearing its 20th year continuous mintage. The Kookaburra is minted in four sizes with its 32.5 oz. (1-kilo) version consider as one of the largest government-issued silver bullion coins in the world. This coin, which also comes in sizes of 10 oz., 2 oz. and 1 oz., is legal tender, with the 1-kilo size having a face value of 30 Australian dollars.

The Australian Silver Kookaburra has 32.151 troy ounces of silver of 99.99% purity, making it a prized addition to coin collections. Characteristic of Australian bullion coins, the image of Queen Elizabeth graces the head of the Silver Kookaburra. The design of the Kookaburra featured on the reverse side changes every year of minting, a subtle theme variation that should whet the interest of many coin collectors. The 2007 Silver Kookaburra, for instance, has already won the affection of many avid numismatists.

This one features the amiable kookaburra hovering over a twig half-sunken in water, one artistic rendering that should enhance the coins value year after year.