Following sharply on the heels of the resounding success of the silver domed Southern and Northern skies series, the Royal Australian Mint has now launched a new exciting domed gold coin.
The Celestial Dome – Southern Sky coin is the first of what will be an exclusive two coin series from the Royal Australian Mint.
Royal Australian Mint, 17 January 2017 Reverse
This, the first ever domed gold coin from the Royal Australian Mint, continues the celestial theme of the Southern and Northern Skies silver domed coins. This time however, the depiction of the night's sky takes a less literal representation.
Royal Australian Mint, 17 January 2017 Coin Edge
The reverse of the coin, which is also the concave or cupped side, illustrates numerous famous and lesser known southern constellations. Depicted in their astrological form within their relative position in the night's southern hemisphere. Some of these include Aquarius, Phoenix, Sagittarius, Pyxis, Virgo, Orion and many more.
Royal Australian Mint, 17 January 2017 Obverse
The obverse, which forms the domed or convex side of the coin, depicts the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II at it's centre. The ruler, county and date of issue as well as the denomination are described along the rim. The legend reads : “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA”, “2017” and “100 DOLLARS”.
Commenting on the release of the new coin the CEO of the Royal Australian Mint, Mr Ross MacDiarmid , had the following to say :
“We have witnessed an incredible level of demand for our domed coins with astronomical designs, so to extend this popular theme the Mint has pushed the boundaries to create a jaw-dropping two coin series, made of 99.99% gold, Continuing the Mint’s reputation of producing high quality, innovative minted treasures, this Celestial Dome will be the centrepiece in collections around the world.”
Mr MacDiarmid further continued :
“Mr As the first gold domed coin developed by the Royal Australian Mint we are thrilled to display our creative and engineering genius by capturing the elements of the night sky to such stunning effect.”
The coin is struck from 1oz of pure .9999 Fineness gold, with a limited mintage of only 750 coins. The coin is slightly larger than a conventional 1oz gold coin at 38.51mm(1.516 inch), and is shipped encapsulated in a very attractive polished wooden display case housed in a printed vanity slip cover. A numbered certificate of authenticity accompanies the coin. The mint is releasing the Southern Skies gold domed coin for AUS$2600.00(US$2000) per coin.
Royal Australian Mint, 17 January 2017 Coin in Box
The coin can be ordered directly from the Royal Australian Mint website, alternatively APMEX is the official distributor in North America and LPM has been authorised by the RAM to distribute the coin throughout Asia. Although given the popularity of the silver domed coins and the limited mintage, I have little doubt that these coins will sell out at the mint. So if you would like to add this to your collection, best not delay.
No official word yet as to when the second coin, the Celestial Dome – Northern Skies, coin can be expected. However we should see it either later in 2017 or by early 2018.
