Perth Mint — Australia: New gold and silver coins feature Super Pit gold mine in Western Australia

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The Perth Mint have produced new gold and silver one-ounce bullion quality coins featuring images of the very mine in which they source much of the gold used to mint their coinage and bullion bars.

The mining industry and parts of this mine in particular began its activities in Perth in 1893, it sparked the Western Australian gold rush and essentially necessitated the establishment of the Perth Mint. The Super Pit now incorporates the historic Golden Mile — once the richest square mile in the world. This location marks the spot where Patrick “Paddy” Hannan (1840–1925), a gold prospector whose lucrative discovery on the 14th June 1893 set off a major gold rush in the area now known as “Kalgoorlie-Boulder” in Western Australia. Located just outside Kalgoorlie, a city in the Goldfields–Esperance region of Western Australia located 595 kilometres (370 miles) east-northeast of Perth at the end of Australia’s Great Eastern Highway, the Super Pit, which is an active working mine, but also a huge tourist attraction.

Once the largest mine in the world, this massive mine is 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) long, 1.5 kilometres (or nearly one mile) wide, and more than 600 metres (1,970 feet) deep and continues to expand. The mine is so immense in its sheer size, it is large enough to actually bury Ayer’s Rock, also known as Uluru. Currently, about 700,000 ounces of gold are harvested here each year, making a staggering total of 50 million ounces since its expansion and incorporation of other nearby mines into a greater entity known as the Super Pit in 1989. Of special interest with the gold coins in this range is the gold used to mint them is sourced directly from the Super Pit Mine which is guaranteed by the Perth Mint.

Over the years, the Super Mine has attracted tens of thousands of visitors every year and as a result of the popularity of the landmark, guided tours are available during times of the year when there is less activity. Visitors can take a walking tour complete with hardhat and gain a greater understanding of this complex industry. A visitor centre has also been built to accommodate interested tourists.

The reverse side is an artist’s impression of the Super Pit itself focusing on the mine’s deep chasm and is the work of designer Lucas Bowers. Shown are the Australian Super Pit gold mine and a road in the foreground with a truck which is being driven on the Cliffside. Above the primary design is the text SUPER PIT AUSTRALIA seen along the edge and below is the year of issue 2021 and the weight 1OZ 9999 GOLD or 1OZ 9999 SILVER placed along the lower edge.

The Commonwealth effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II created by British engraver Jody Clark is seen on the obverse along with the coins’ denomination of 100 DOLLARS (gold) or 1 DOLLAR (silver) is included beneath the Queen’s likeness.

Each gold coin includes an authentication feature on the reverse 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.

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Maximum Mintage
One dollar	.9999 Silver	31.1 g	40.9 mm	Brilliant Unc.	100,000
100 dollars	.9999 Gold	31.1 g	32.6 mm	Brilliant Unc.	5,000

Each gold and silver coin is encapsulated and available in purchases from one, five, or up to 100 pieces at a time. Larger consignments are packaged in tubes of 25 in strong boxes containing 250 silver ounces. For additional information, please consult your local bullion distributor.

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