Description
In 1990, the Perth Mint changed the manner in which it designed and released its gold and silver bullion coinage. Prior to the Silver Kookaburras debut, the only annual-issue coin of note was the Gold Nugget. The 1990 Australian Silver Kookaburras debut launched a series that continues to this day with new designs on the reverse each year featuring the native kookaburra birds.
1 Kilo Australian Silver Kookaburra coins are the largest weight available in the silver collection. The kookaburra is the largest member of the kingfisher species of birds and is found predominantly in Australia and New Guinea. The word kookaburra comes from the local Wiradjuri language in which the species is known as the GUUGUUBARRA.
On the obverse of the 1 Kilo Australian Silver Kookaburra coins is the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Australian coinage from 1990 to 1997 in this series feature Raphael Makloufs third-generation portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Coins issued in this series from 1998 to present include the fourth-generation design from Ian Rank-Broadley.
The reverse of 1 Kilo Silver Kookaburra coins features different images with each new release. The coins always depict the kookaburra, whose noted laugh is often used as background soundtrack effects reflecting the wild nature of the Australian Outback.
