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2011 Australian Kangaroo at Sunset 1/5 Oz Silver Proof Coin Available

The Kangaroo at Sunset silver coins proved to be just as popular as their gold counterparts, leading the Mint to expand its silver offerings. In 2010, a 1/5 ounce Kangaroo at Sunset Silver Proof Coin was introduced with a mintage cap of 5,000 coins. It sold out in short order. That sell-out is likely to be repeated with the 2011 coins as they too have a maximum mintage of 5,000.

According to the Royal Australian Mint, the 2011 Kangaroo at Sunset 1/5 Oz Silver Proof Coin sells for AUD $65.00, or AUD $59.09 for international orders. Visit http://www.ramint.gov.au/ to place an order.

Each proof coin features a diameter of 21.69 mm, a gross weight of 6.03 grams, and ships in a unique presentation case with an illustrated shipper.

Shown on the reverse of the coin is world renowned sculptor Wojciech Pietranik's design depicting a single kangaroo against the outback horizon at dusk. The setting sun casts an inspiring reflective shadow of the kangaroo. Inscriptions include ".999 Ag.

Source: Silver Coins Today (blog)

Operation Fastbuck -Delivering New Decimal Coins In 1966

by harrisk

The delivery of new coins needed at the changeover from pounds, shillings and pence to dollars and cents for February 14th 1966 was given the name "Operation Fastbuck". New coins had to be delivered to banks for the opening of business on Monday February 14th when Australia would begin a period of transition, initially with dual currency to ultimately merge full-time into the use of a new system of dollars and cents.

A lot of new coins had travelled form the Royal Mint in London and arrived at the Melbourne docks and were transported to storage at Deer Park prior to decimal changeover. Operation Fastbuck saw the delivery of all the new coins to banks Australia-wide. In the case of Victoria there were 3 groups involved in the distribution of the new coins from the Deer Park facility. Each group consisted of a semi-trailer loaded with locked containers that held the cases of coins (see image above) with the driver accompanied by an armed Federal Police Officer. A medium sized delivery van (similar to armoured Armaguard, Brinks or Chubb security vans that we see today) saw the driver accompanied by another armed police officer and 2 bank officers. A Commonwealth car (seen in image above) with driver and a police officer armed with an Owen Sub-machine gun kept guard of the semi-trailer as an escort....

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Investing in Australia Perth Mint's Coins: Gold, Silver, Proof ...

The Perth Mint of Australia is authorized to produce legal tender precious metals coins for sale. The mint produces investment coins in gold and silver, proof coins, numismatic coins and commemorative coins. The Perth Mint also offers storage services for Australian investment coins. This mint is among the world’s largest mint in coins production for Australia and other countries.

Precious metals such as gold and silver provide a hedge against price inflation and protection during paper currencies devaluation. When countries print a lot of money, investors tend to get nervous and start to diversify their financial assets into hard assets. Gold and silver coins are hard assets that can provide investors with some level of diversification. Strong country’s economies are preferred for investing in precious metals coins because they offer security.

Investing in precious metals coins should be part of an overall investment strategy. Generally, it is recommended that investment in hard assets such as gold and silver should not exceed 10-15% of an investor’s portfolio. Australia is one of the few countries minting coins for investment. Other countries producing gold and silver coins are the United States, Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Investors should evaluate these countries' coins when diversifying their portfolios.

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