Perth Mint — Australia: Rotating golden snowflake features in new silver Christmas Wonderland double-crown coin

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The Perth Mint has launched (19th October) their newest holiday-themed collector coin that features something rarely seen Down Under but which is a very familiar scene in much of the world for Christmas. In the northern hemisphere, Christmas celebrations and merriments are associated with snow and ice due to their proximity to the winter solstice. As a time of celebration, feasting, and activities which often includes ice skating and building snowmen, snow itself plays a huge part in this festive mix. Christmas is also a solemn time for religious observance, and owing to origins from diverse pagan and Christian cultural practices dating back more than two millennia, this time of year is characterised by many popular traditions. The decorating of a Christmas tree has become a tradition in many homes and was especially popularized during Victorian times, but the hoped-for arrival of Santa Claus and his reindeers bearing gifts is the highlight for many children.

Of course, no Christmas wonderland would be complete without an ample covering of snow and the Perth Mint’s latest holiday-themed coins designed by Monique Reeves features a 24-carat gold-plated insert representing a six-pointed snowflake, which is encased in the coin’s centre. Symbolising their many wondrous hexagonal shapes in nature, the snowflake insert can be made to gently rotate by moving the coin. Also included as part of the design are images that encircle the snowflake of joyous Christmas Eve scenes with excited children playing in the snow. The design includes gold coloured accents signifying, among other things, light emanating from cosy homes and twinkling lights on Christmas trees. The Perth Mint’s “P” mintmark is also included on the reverse.

The obverse portrays the Commonwealth effigy created by Jody Clark effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and an artistic circle of stylised snowflakes surrounded by the coin’s weight, purity, denomination, and year-date. As part of the overall finishing process, each coin has been individually oxidised or “antiqued” on each surface to give it a unique appearance conveying the surface abrasions of an ancient artefact.

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Maximum Mintage
Two dollars	.9999 Silver	62.2 g	45.6 mm	Proof & oxidised	2,500

Each coin is housed in a classic custom display case with a clear protective cover. Packaged in a Christmas gift box with a bow, each coin is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the website of the Perth Mint.

This coin has been delayed in production and will not be available in-store or for dispatch until the 29th October 2021. There is an initial purchase limit of two coins per household.

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