mid-may money 2012

The dawn of a new era in Australian gold production, the Perth branch of the Royal Mint struck its fi rst coins in 1899 – specifi cally, the 1899 Gold Sovereign. Hotly pursued as the fi rst in the Perth Mint series, this exquisite 22-carat gold coin also embodies the fi nal days of the long reign of Queen Victoria, with the distinguished Veiled Head portrait gracing the obverse. The lowest mintage issue in more than three decades of Perth Mint sovereign production, with just 691,000 struck, and the highest cataloguing Veiled Head date, the 1899P Gold Sovereign is a key to the entire Australian 1855-1931 Sovereign Series.

Issued toward the end of the reign of Queen Victoria’s grandson, George V, the 1931P Sovereign was the last date struck at the Perth Mint – and the last date of the Australian Sovereign Series. Like the 1899 issue, the 1931P Sovereign featured Benedetto Pistrucci’s magnifi cent St George & the Dragon design – the only sovereign reverse motif employed by the Perth Mint. An historic, short-lived issue, the 1931P Sovereign was the third date of a three-year-only type, with the Modifi ed Portrait of King George V found on the obverse used only from 1929 to 1931.

Equally beautiful, historic and important, the fi rst and last Perth Mint sovereigns are highly sought after individually. United as a ‘perfect pair’ within a lavish timber case, the 1899P and 1931P Sovereigns encapsulate the history of gold coin production in the west, and form an unparalleled acquisition for the serious collector – especially when found in the superior VF-aUnc quality seen here.

� An historic presentation, highlighted by the very fi rst AND very last Perth Mint sovereign dates!

� Premium grade – defi ned by Very Fine to about Uncirculated quality!

� Beautifully presented within a timber case, housed within a stylish outer box

� Each 22-carat gold sovereign pair is accompanied by a Certifi cate of Authenticity

Upholding one of Australia’s oldest

numismatic traditions, the Perth Mint’s

new 2012 Gold Proof Sovereign is sure

to spark a new Gold Rush amongst coin

collectors across the globe.

Beginning with the Sydney Mint Sovereign

in 1855, and ending when the last

sovereigns were struck at the Perth and

Melbourne Mints in 1931, the Australian

Sovereign Series is a key part of our history.

Australia’s three mints struck millions of

coins for the British Empire, with Australian

sovereigns admired worldwide for immense

beauty and reliable weight and purity. The

perfect complement to the sovereigns of

yesteryear, the 2012 Gold Proof Sovereign

continues this grand tradition in style.

Crafted from 7.9881g of 22-carat gold,

just like every sovereign back to the fi rst

British issue in 1817, the 2012 Gold

Proof Sovereign is distinguished by a

distinctively Aussie design. Reminiscent

of the forthright nature of the Sydney

Mint Sovereign reverse, the employment

of the powerful national Coat of Arms

motif upon the 22.60mm diameter fl an

makes for a proudly Australian

addition to the Commonwealth

Sovereign Series.

An immensely desirable

Australian legal tender release, the Perth Mint’s

2012 Gold Proof Sovereign

is, however, to be enjoyed

by a select band of collectors. The limited edition has been restricted

to a mere 2,500, with each

coin presented within a luxurious timber case with a

numbered Certifi cate of

Authenticity.

And what a coin it is! Struck to the zenith of Proof quality from FIVE TROY OUNCES of .999 fi ne silver – that’s over 155

grams! – this unique precious metal Proof is

perhaps most notable for its commanding weight and

size. An ideal venue to enjoy the Perth Mint’s intricately

detailed, enchanting one-year-only koala design, this massive

precious metal Proof measures an expansive 60.60mm in diameter!

Beyond its daunting dimensions, this spellbinding coin is also defi ned by extremely limited availability – particularly in Australia. As in 2011, when a mere 300 examples of

the fi rst 5oz Silver Proof Koala were retained in

Australia, a vast if unknown

percentage of the

5,000-coin mintage of the 2012 $8 Koala 5oz Silver Proof has been dispatched to the giant US silver market. We were unable to secure enough stock in 2011 to satisfy the demand from our clients, and, sadly, it seems that history is destined to repeat itself.

With only a few coins remaining from our allocation, there’s no time to lose!

Portraying Australia’s cuddliest bush icon in traditional pose – asleep in a eucalyptus tree! – the new 2012 $1 Gilded Koala Silver BU is an exquisite illustration of the Perth Mint’s mastery of selective gold-plating techniques.

One of few annual Australian legal tender issues to be enhanced with the world’s favourite precious metal, the Mint’s 2008-12 Gilded Koala Series has carved out a signifi cant following amongst collectors – both in Australia and overseas. Struck to immaculate Specimen quality from a troy ounce of .999 fi ne

silver, and precisely embellished with

pure 24-carat gold, the latest addition to the program is sure to be just

as sought after as its

predecessors.

Whilst an obvious ‘must-have’ for those who own any of those predecessors, the international renown of the iconic koala also makes the new 40.60mm 2012 $1 Gilded Koala Silver BU absolutely ideal as an Aussie gift for friends and business contacts overseas. Set in an offi cial Perth Mint case and housed in a ready-to-wrap illustrated outer box, each Australian legal tender coin is complete with an individually numbered Certifi cate of Authenticity confi rming the worldwide mintage of 10,000.

The Cutty Sark in Silver!

Finished in pure, prestigious gold…

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expansivAn enthralling journey to the heart of Australia’s glorious golden heritage, drawing together two of the most important elements of the Australian Sovereign Series, this prestigious presentation unites the very fi rst and the very last sovereign dates struck at the Perth Mint – 1899 and 1931.

The Gold Rush of 2012! Big coin? Huge demand!

A$107TUVALU 2012 $1

CUTTY SARK

1oz SILVER PROOF

Official Issue Price

A$4952012 $8 KOALA

5oz SILVER PROOF

A$1042012 $1

GILDED KOALA

1oz SILVER BU

A$7502012 $25 GOLD PROOF

SOVEREIGN

an lth

Paying homage to the Cutty Sark – one of the most famous

clippers of the 19th century – this masterpiece of maritime

memorabilia forms a truly grand fi nale to the Perth Mint’s

Ships that Changed the World Silver Proof Series.

Initially employed in the tea trade between China

and England, the Cutty Sark is most well known in

Australia as the fastest clipper in the wool trade

for the best part of ten years. Although the

Cutty Sark once outsailed the fastest

steam ship of the age, the days of

the clipper were numbered, and

she was ultimately moved to dry-

dock in Greenwich in 1954 and

used as a museum ship.

Depicting the Cutty Sark in full sail,

this 40.60mm 1oz .999 fi ne silver Proof

is set in an offi cial case with a Certifi cate

of Authenticity confi rming the worldwide

mintage of just 5,000.

Each 60.60mm .999 Silver Proof 5oz is housed in an official case with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity

As impressive, as imposing and as exclusive as the Perth Mint’s fi rst 5oz Silver Proof Koala – sold out in Australia in record time – the 2012 $8 Koala 5oz Silver Proof, has been met with similarly spectacular demand. With our allocation virtually wiped out, this may well be your last chance to secure this majestic Australian legal tender coin.

ertifi cate of

Authenticity

A$1,7951899 & 1931 COLONIAL

PERTH MINT GOLD

SOVEREIGN SET

VF-aUnc

Visit our website at www.downies.com

moneywww.eurocollections.com

Mid May

2012The Leading Journal of Coins and Collectables

w w w . d o w n i e s . c o m Australia Toll free 1300 788 358

RETAIL OUTLETSTown Hall Coins,

Shop 5 Town Hall Square,

464-480 Kent St, Sydney

Tel: + 61 (0) 2 9299 4131 Fax: + 61 (0) 2 9261 4199Email: [email protected]

Block Arcade Coins,

Shops 11 & 12 Block Arcade,

98-100 Elizabeth St, Melbourne

Tel: + 61 (0) 3 8677 8888Fax: + 61 (0) 3 8677 8890Email: [email protected]

©2012 – All rights reserved. Every Downies catalogue is made from paper that is a) sourced from sustainable forests, and b) treated with an environmentally-friendly bleaching process. All items offered are subject to being sold out prior to receipt of order. Products may be photographed not at actual size. Some items in this magazine may not be immediately available from our retail outlets. This list cancels all previous direct selling lists. Prices shown are subject to change without notice. Prices may include GST.

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Road to Federation Gold-plated Halfpenny Collection – back in stock!

One of our most popular offers of 2011, we are delighted to announce that we have just received fresh stock of the unique, historic and extremely exclusive Road to Federation Gold-plated Halfpenny Collection!

THE PATH TO NATIONHOOD…Progressing from a starving, ramshackle penal colony to a thriving, independent nation, Australia’s occasionally rocky road to nationhood is one of the most fascinating chapters in our country’s history. Whilst the radical transformation can be attributed to many factors, there is no doubt that key individuals played an essential part in the attainment of national unity – and, crucially, in the development of a distinctive Australian national identity.

ICONS OF AUSTRALIAN HISTORY…From exploration to the discovery of gold, from political leadership to the performance arts, from agricultural innovation to literature, the Australian nation was built from the contributions

of individuals across a great diversity of fi elds. Unique, historic and, with just 2,500 issued worldwide, very exclusive, this affordable presentation celebrates some of the most crucial, most famous of those individuals.

Genuine icons of Australian history, and still very much ‘household names’ today, Arthur Phillip, William Bligh, Joseph Banks, Matthew Flinders, Elizabeth Macarthur, Peter Lalor, Edward Hargraves, Ned Kelly, Banjo Paterson and Nellie Melba are all honoured in this sensational full-colour coin collection.

GENUINE AUSSIE HALFPENNIES – PLATED IN GOLD!Enshrining this ‘who’s who’ of Australia’s colonial heritage in legal tender, the Road to Federation Gold-plated Halfpenny Collection comprises ten genuine predecimal halfpennies – struck from 1938 to 1952 during the reign of George VI. Finished in authentic, prestigious gold, the 25.50mm diameter

fl an of each George VI halfpenny is distinguished by a full-colour reverse design of one of the aforementioned colonial luminaries, with each design protected by a layer of clear enamel.

A FINE PRESENTATION…Enabling the full enjoyment of this historic presentation, each 10-coin gold-plated halfpenny collection is housed within a black case, and is accompanied by a detailed information booklet. Outlining the story of each of the iconic colonial fi gures celebrated in the set, the information booklet is also individually numbered, providing confi rmation of the worldwide limited edition of just 2,500.

SENSATIONAL VALUE-FOR-MONEY! Given the rich history, vibrant full-colour and tremendous affordability – available at an average price of less than A$10 per full-colour gold-plated coin! – it was no surprise that the Road to Federation Gold-plated Halfpenny Collection was so popular when unveiled late last year. With our

original allocation wiped out by the overwhelming demand, we set out to secure more stock and are delighted to once again highlight the unique qualities of this compelling exploration of Australia’s colonial heritage.

� An eye-catching tribute to the key characters of colonial Australia

� Comprises ten genuine Australian King George VI halfpennies – each fi nished in real gold!

� Extremely exclusive, with the limited edition restricted to just 2,500 collections

� Presented within a case, accompanied by an informative, individually numbered booklet

� Sensational value-for-money at just A$99 – less than A$10 per coin!

A$99ROAD TO FEDERATION

GOLD-PLATED

HALFPENNY

COLLECTION

The second release of the Perth Mint’s inspired Animal Athletes Series, this offi cial Australian legal tender coin pays homage to a true wonder of nature – the ‘marathon’ Monarch Butterfl y! Famous for its southward migration to Mexico and California and northward return to Canada, it is estimated that the Monarch Butterfl y is capable of fl ying more than 425km in a single day – a feat comparable to the Olympic marathon! Also found in Australia, New Zealand and Europe, this spectacular creature is known as much for its great beauty as it is for its remarkable stamina – as illustrated by this stunning full-colour coin. Graced with a vivid reverse design, the Perth Mint’s 2012 $1 Monarch Butterfl y Al-Br BU captures perfectly the brilliant orange and black hues of this vibrant species.

Fantastic value for a full-colour coin, with the Offi cial Issue Price

just A$14.95, this offi cial Australian legal tender release is also surprisingly exclusive. Unusually for a Brilliant Uncirculated coin, the worldwide mintage has been kept to an extremely low 7,500! Measuring 30.60mm, each of those coins is set within an offi cial Perth Mint card – packed with illustrations and information about the Monarch Butterfl y.

� Worldwide mintage restricted to a mere 7,500 coins!

� Struck to BU quality, and superbly enhanced with full-colour

� An Australian legal tender release – measures 30.60mm in diameter

� Housed in an informative, illustrated, offi cial Perth Mint card

As Australia’s fi rst High Relief Kookaburra Silver Proof demand for the 2012 $1 Kookaburra High Relief 1oz Silver Proof was always going to be huge, and so it proved. Crushed beneath an avalanche of orders, our allocation has been all but wiped out in less than two weeks!

The fi rst time that the Perth Mint’s fl agship product has been

struck to this exquisite standard, the 2012 $1 Kookaburra High Relief 1oz Silver Proof is a must-have for anyone with an appreciation of the fi nest in Australian numismatics. Measuring 32.60mm in diameter and, at 6mm in width, double the thickness of a standard 1oz silver coin, the chunky fl an has been struck on concave surfaces to guarantee

that the optimal fl ow of .999 fi ne silver is achieved by the strike of the die. Creating unparalleled depth and

detail in the designs, the one-year-only kookaburra motif and obverse portrait of Elizabeth II stand out most prominently from the background fi elds.

Beyond the breathtaking quality of this groundbreaking Australian legal tender issue, the avid interest in the 2012 $1 Kookaburra High Relief 1oz Silver Proof is entirely consistent with demand for its few High Relief predecessors. The 20,000-coin mintage of the 2010 $1 Kangaroo High Relief 1oz Silver Proof was wiped out at pace, whilst the 7,500-coin mintage of the 2012 $1 Dragon High Relief 1oz Silver Proof sold out within hours! With the Silver Kookaburra Series arguably Australia’s most renowned coin program, both at home and abroad, this spectacular new release was always assured a rapturous welcome. With just a few coins left in stock – each set in an offi cial case with a numbered Certifi cate of Authenticity – and a sell-out of the 10,000-coin mintage imminent, immediate action is imperative.

Marathon Monarch TINY MINTAGE JUST 7,500!

Kooka creates chaos!

A$1495

2012 $1 MONARCH BUTTERFLY

Al-Br BUOfficial Issue Price

A$1102012 $1 KOOKABURRA

HIGH RELIEF 1oz SILVER PROOF

See the Order Form for the 2012 $1 Boxing Kangaroos

Al-Br BU!

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w w w . d o w n i e s . c o mw w w . d o w n i e s . c o m Australia Toll free 1300 788 358Australia Toll free 1300 788 358 www.facebook.com/downieswww.twitter.com/downies