Common Wombat - 2007 1/10oz Proof Coin

The Common Wombat - 2007 1/10oz Proof Coin is part of the Historic Perth Mint's Discover Australia Program. This program of natural flora and fauna is scheduled for release between 2006 and 2008. The program comprises pure gold, silver and platinum proof coins depicting Australia's amazing fauna, landmarks and flora.

This coin's reverse depicts a Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus), an herbivorous marsupial native only to Australia. The Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) is one of three species of wombat and the only one in the Vombatus genus. It is widespread in the cooler and better watered parts of southern and eastern Australia, and in mountain districts as far north as the south of Queensland, but is declining in Western Victoria and South Australia.

The Common Wombat can breed every two years and produce a single joey, which leaves the backwards facing pouch after nine to eleven months (weighing between 3.5 and 6.5 kilograms). The joey is weaned at around 12 to 15 months of age and is usually independent at 18 months of age. Extremely hard to spot in the wild, most live in damp, coastal regions of south-eastern Australia and in Tasmania. Covered in thick, coarse fur, they possess sharp claws and powerful limbs for digging long burrows in which they can survive cold temperatures and even bush fires.

Issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, the coin depicts Ian Rank-Broadley's effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on its obverse. The year-date and The Perth Mint's traditional ‘P’ mintmark also appear in the design.

This 2007-dated coin is struck from 1/10oz of 99.99% pure gold in proof quality and is housed in a superb presentation case with a lid made from Australian jarrah timber. The case comes in a protective outer shipper featuring Discover Australia's distinctive logo.

Each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity and the Perth Mint will release no more than 2,500 of these coins worldwide.

This is available as an individual coin or in a five coin set. The Common Wombat - 2007 1/10oz Proof Coin makes a delightful addition to any coin collection.

2007 Scouting Centenary Gold Proof 50p

The 2007 Scouting Centenary Gold Proof 50p is a beautifully 22 carat gold proof coin to celebrate the Scout Movement. The fifty pence coin celebrates 100 years of adventure and lesions in self reliance for many thousands of boys and girls since the early 1900s.

Scouting originally began in 1907 when Robert Baden-Powell, a Lieutenant General in the British Army, held the first Scouting encampment at Brownsea Island in England. Baden-Powell wrote the principles of Scouting in Scouting for Boys (London, 1908), based upon his earlier military books and experience some influence and support of Seton of the Woodcraft Indians, Smith of the Boys' Brigade, and his publisher Pearson. During the first half of the 20th century, the movement grew to encompass three major age groups each for boys (Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Rover Scout) and for girls (Brownie Guide, Girl Guide and Girl Scout, Ranger Guide).

The movement employs the Scout method, a program of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking, and sports. Another widely recognized movement characteristic is the Scout uniform, by intent hiding all differences of social standing in a country and making for equality, with neckerchief and campaign hat or comparable head wear. Distinctive uniform insignia include the fleur-de-lis and the trefoil, as well as merit badges and other patches.

For further information on the Scouts visit http://www.scouts.org.uk

The 2007 Scouting Centenary Gold Proof 50p design appropriately features a globe, emphasizing the growth of the Scouting Movement, along with the Scouts’ familiar fleur-de-lys and their famous motto ‘Be Prepared’. The coin is presented in a luxurious red case and a numbered Certificate of Authenticity is included. The reverse design is by Kerry Jones and an obverse of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley, FRBS. The coin is beautifully struck in gleaming 22 carat gold to Proof quality

Specifications:
Alloy: 22 Carat Gold
Weight: 15.5 g
Diameter: 27.3 mm
Denomination: 50P
Code: UKSCMGP
Price: £345.00

There is a limited issue of just 1,250 of the 2007 Scouting Centenary Gold Proof 50p coins so these will go quickly and it is a good idea to grab one while one can.