2019 Australian Bullion Program
Synopsis
The 2019 Perth Mint bullion coin designs were unveiled on 3rd September, and with them came a brand new obverse portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
The 2019 Perth Mint bullion coin designs were unveiled on 3rd September. The exciting new coin designs include the much anticipated Lunar Year of the Pig, Kangaroos, Koalas, Kookaburras and even the reveal of a brand new coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
The bullion coins are released in batches from August 2018 - January 2019. Here's a look at the new designs.
Lunar Year of the Pig
The Perth Mint's incredibly popular second series of lunar coins is brought to a close with the Year of the Pig coins. As usual, there are two new designs; one for the gold coins and one for the silver.
The silver design shows a proud mother pig surrounded by her four piglets. The Chinese sign for 'Pig' can also be found.
The gold coin has a male pig, striding along. A tree branch and some rocks are also visible.
The lunar series are the only coins which do not feature the new obverse portrait. As the final release in the Perth Mint’s second series of lunar coins, the pig coins have kept Ian Rank Broadley’s fourth coinage portrait so as to stay uniform with the other years. It’s quite likely that the Perth Mint will cease using the fourth portrait on the lunar coins when the 2020 Series III lunar coins are unveiled in September, 2019.
Kookaburra
The kookaburra design is one of our favourites. Featuring the bird sitting on a tree branch surrounded by water. The moon's reflection glistens on the lake.
These fine silver coins are available in 1kg, 10oz and 1oz sizes.
Kangaroo
Released on 5th November, the kangaroos (or nuggets as they were formally known) are issued in gold and silver. The gold design changes every year, whereas the silver coin continually uses the red kangaroo design.
The silver coin has featured a micro-engraved letter 'A' hidden within one the of the letters on the reverse. This is a security feature and for the first time it is being used on the gold coins.
Koala
Available in early January 2019, the silver koala coins are the final bullion release. These coins are available in 1oz and 1kg sizes only, and feature a koala sitting on a tree branch.
New Portrait
The new design marks Australia’s sixth coinage portrait. The effigy was designed by Royal Mint artist, Jody Clark, whose other work has been featured on The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts Series, as well as on Prince George’s Fifth Birthday £5 coin. Clark also designed the UK’s fifth coinage portrait which has been used on UK coins since 2015.
This new portrait replaces the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy, which the Perth Mint has continued to use, despite the new coinage design being released in 2015. The new portrait will not only appear on bullion coins, but it will also be used on all circulating Australian coinage from 2019.
Despite having the same designer, the Perth Mint effigy is not the same as the UK one, with one notable difference being the inclusion of the Queen’s shoulders. Her Majesty is portrayed wearing the George IV State Diadem, also known as the Diamond Diadem. This was worn by The Queen during the procession to her Coronation. The necklace she is wearing is the Victorian Coronation Necklace which has been worn by every Queen regent or consort since it was made for Queen Victoria in 1858.
History of the Elizabeth II Coinage Portraits
| Portrait | Image | Australian Coins | British Coins |
| Mary Gillick | .jpg?1541150715560) | 1953 - 1965 | 1953 - 1970 |
| Arnold Machin |  | 1966 - 1984 | 1968 - 1984 |
| Raphael Maklouf |  | 1985 - 1998 | 1985 - 1997 |
| Ian Rank-Broadley |  | 1999 - 2018 | 1998 - 2015 |
| Vladimir Gottwald |  | 2000 (50c Coins Only) | |
| Jody Clark |  | 2015 - Present | |
| Jody Clark |  | 2019 |
We have a dedicated page where you can buy Australian coins
You may wish to view all of our articles on our gold guide
You may wish to view all of our articles on our silver guide
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