Perth Mint – Australia: Latest Next Generations Silver Bullion Coins Released Featuring Flightless Emu

Begun in 2018, the series focuses on some of Australia’s most iconic and familiar wildlife and highlights parent and offspring. For 2024, the series features Australia’s largest and most famous flightless birds – the Emu. Found on the country’s national crest, Emus are endemic to Australia and are soft-feathered, brown flightless birds with long necks and legs. As tall as a grown man they can reach a height up to 1.9 metres or 6.2 feet in height, weigh in at 55 kilograms or 120 pounds and can travel great distances with ease, and when necessary emus can sprint at 50 km/h or 31 mph. Highly nomadic, their range covers most of the mainland and used to live on the island of Tasmania. Emus prefer open plains but are also found in snowfields, forests and savannah woodlands, seldom inhabiting populated areas.

The female emu lays as many as 15 large eggs over an extended period. However, after mating, she leaves the male to incubate the eggs and guard the newly-hatched chicks. Fortunately, young emu chicks develop rapidly, maturing to fully developed adults capable of running at great speed within a year.

Designed by Natasha Muhl, the reverse side of the coin portrays an adult emu striding proudly with three chicks in an undulating landscape featuring native flora. Radial lines suggesting sunlight accompany the design, which also includes a P125 mintmark signifying The Perth Mint’s 125th anniversary placed near to the left rim and the year 2024 placed below the primary design. For additional peace of mind, the coin incorporates an authentication feature in the form of a micro-laser engraved letter. Detectable under a magnifying glass, it is designed to make it significantly more difficult for the coin to be counterfeited. The obverse side includes the definitive effigy of HM King Charles III created by engraver Dan Thorne. The text CHARLES III and AUSTRALIA is placed above the portrait with the specifications and denomination 10oz 9999 Ag 10 DOLLARS or 2oz 9999 Ag 2 DOLLARS placed below the King’s likeness. Both 10 and 2 ounce coin weights are minted to a piedfort or double thickness specification.

Expected dispatch from the 26^th July, each individual 2 oz bullion coin is presented in a protective clear vinyl closable holder allowing the design to be visible without being opened. The 2 ounce coins are also available in storage tubes of 12 pieces. The 10 oz coin is presented in a protective acrylic capsule. For additional information including a list of international official distributors, please visit the Perth Mint’s sales webpage.

Other coins in the series include the Koala (2018) Australian crocodile (2019) Kookaburra (2020) Platypus, (2021) the Dingo (2022) and kangaroo (2023).