We’re taking a closer look at the fascinating history of the Australian Kookaburra coin series from The Perth Mint.
Discover the rich symbolism of Australia’s iconic kookaburra and explore why these stunning silver coins have become a favourite among collectors and investors alike.
The Kookaburra Bird
The Kookaburra is part of the kingfisher family and is mostly native to Australia, although they’re also found in New Guinea. Kookaburras are a well-known symbol of Australia and have been nicknamed ‘The Laughing Jackass’ because of their distinct song. They’re normally very territorial birds and have been found to build nests, not only in trees but also in termite mounds.
A kookaburra is a carnivore and doesn’t drink much water. Like birds of prey, kookaburras receive their moisture through the blood of the prey they hunt, including mice, snakes, insects, small reptiles, and the young of other birds. In some parts of the world, Kookaburras are so tame that they’ll eat food from an outstretched hand, in some cases, Australians have even reported a kookaburra swooping in to steal some of their precious BBQ food!
All of these characteristics allow the Kookaburra to become a symbol of boldened fearlessness with a pursuit of getting what they want.
The kookaburra itself has a large head and a short, thick neck. It has a very large, heavy beak which is black on the top and beige on the bottom and measures up to 10 centimetres (4 inches) in length. They normally have prominent brown eyes with dark brown stripes extending through them. Their back and wings are brown and they have blue shoulder spots. They have longish tails that are rusty red in colour with dark brown barring and white feather tips.
The Kookaburra’s laugh
The Kookaburra has a hugely legendary song that will keep you very entertained for hours or ripping your hair out. Physically, it’s to mark their territory, but aboriginal legend says the kookaburra’s infamous songs of laughter each morning is a sign for the sky people to light the great fire that illuminates and warms the earth by day, the sun.
Kookaburra Coin Design
In 1990, The Perth Mint introduced the Silver Kookaburra series to the world and issued the first release of 1oz coins from 99.9% pure Silver. The Kookaburra coin has actually only ever been minted in silver, although, The Perth Mint did issue a one-off Gold Proof Set to celebrate an anniversary of the Silver Kookaburra coin series.
The coins always feature a kookaburra bird, but the design changes each year. On the 2018 coin design, the Kookaburra is pictured mid-flight, whereas the 2019 design features a kookaburra sitting on a tree branch protruding out of the water with the sun setting over the horizon.
2024 Kookaburra Coin Design
The 2024 Silver Australian Kookaburra Coin boasts a design that seamlessly blends artistry with natural realism. Against the backdrop of a rugged gorge, the kookaburra’s piercing gaze locks onto its prey, embodying the fierce yet graceful nature of Australia’s avian predators.
Notably, the 2024 edition bears the ‘P125’ mintmark, commemorating The Perth Mint’s 125th anniversary—a testament to the mint’s enduring legacy of craftsmanship and excellence in numismatics.
In addition to its stunning depiction of the kookaburra, the 2024 Silver Australian Kookaburra Coin marks a historic moment in numismatic history. For the first time, the coin features the portrait of King Charles III—a nod to tradition and continuity in the world of coinage.
Browse the Kookaburra Coin Range
Past Kookaburra Coin Designs
The unique individuality of each coin makes the Kookaburra series irresistible to collectors. We’re proud to have had many of these designs pass through the Bleyer vault, and each design is something we look forward to seeing every year. Some of the older Kookaburra coin designs are now extremely rare and difficult to get a hold of, so well done if you’ve managed to collect them all.
The 1996 Silver Kookaburra coin features an image of a Kookaburra bird in flight, and the 2006 Silver Kookaburra features a pair of Kookaburra birds sitting on a piece of tree branch – every Kookaburra coin tells a different story of this amazing creature. The only two similar designs are the original 1990 version and the anniversary 2015 edition.
Bullion from Bleyer
If you want to get your hands on any of the silver Kookaburra coins and wish to contact us directly, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 01769 618618 or email sales@bleyer.co.uk.
