The Perth Mint of Australia has released a limited mintage one ounce gold proof coin to mark the 25th anniversary of Australia’s official gold coin program. The 2011 Gold Nugget 1 oz. Proof Coin features the “Welcome Stranger” nugget, believed to be the largest gold nugget ever found. It was discovered in 1869 in Moliagul, Victoria near the root of a tee, only two inches beneath the surface. The nugget weighed 2,284 ounces.
The Australian Gold Nugget bullion coin series was introduced in 1986 and originally featured images of different gold nuggets. With the 1989 proof coin, the reverse design began to feature different images of kangaroos and the series came to be referred to as the Gold Kangaroo.
For the 25th anniversary, the original gold nugget designed created by Suart Devlin OA CMG is presented. The “Welcome Stranger” gold nugget appears surrounded by rays. Beneath the nugget is the inscription “Welcome Stranger 1869” and surrounding is “The Australian Gold Nugget 1 oz. Fine Gold” and the date “2011”.
The obverse of the coin includes the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Inscriptions include “Elizabeth II”, “Australia”, and the legal tender face value “100 Dollars”.
Each coin is struck in 99.99% purity and contains 1 troy ounce of gold. The diameter of each piece is 32.60 mm and the thickness is 2.80 mm. The proof quality coins are packed in presentation cases with a colored shipper and numbered certificate of authenticity. The mintage is limited to 1,500 coins worldwide.
Additional information and sales can be found on the Perth Mint’s product page.
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