The Australian Kookaburra series is the longest-running silver bullion collection from the Perth Mint. Introduced in 1990, it was part of the Mints first annual bullion programs that featured new reverse designs every year showing native Australian animals. Right now, Provident Metals offers the 1997 Australian Kookaburra 1 oz Silver Coin for purchase.

Highlights:

• Arrives in a protective plastic capsule!
• 8th date in the 1 oz Silver Kookaburra Series!
• Final mintage of 159,497 coins!
• Contains 1 Troy oz of .999 pure silver.
• Bears a face value of $1 (AUD) backed by the federal government of Australia.
• Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.
• A kookaburra is shown with its young chick on the reverse.

Each 1997 Australian Kookaburra 1 oz Silver Coin ships in a plastic capsule to protect its design. Although the Perth Mint approved a mintage of up to 300,000 coins for this release, only 159,497 coins were actually sold. These numbers reflect the series’ continued popularity throughout the late 1990s.

Obverse

The obverse of the 1997 Australian Kookaburra Silver Coin features a right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. This design, created by Raphael Maklouf in 1985, was the fourth official portrait used on Australian coins. It depicts Her Majesty wearing the George IV State Diadem and was in use until 1998, making this one of the last years featuring the Maklouf effigy. Inscriptions here read ELIZABETH II, AUSTRALIA, and 1 DOLLAR.

Reverse

On the reverse side of the 1997 Kookaburra 1 oz Silver Coin, youll find a kookaburra feeding its chick inside the nest. Kookaburras usually lay their eggs in tree hollows or termite mounds, and after hatching, the parents and older siblings all work together to bring food such as insects and small animals to the young birds. The inscriptions here read THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA, 1 OZ. 999 SILVER, and 1997.

History

Kookaburras are known for raising their chicks through teamwork. Breeding pairs often get help from older offspring, who stay with the family and assist with raising new chicks. These helpers defend the nest, feed the young, and learn parenting skills along the way.

Ordering

If you have questions about buying silver, the Provident Metals customer service team is here to help! Give us a call at 1-800-313-3315, chat with us online, or send us an email.