2009 Australian Five Dollar ($5) International Year of Astronomy - Meteorite Silver Proof
$350.00 AUD
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2009 Australian Five Dollar ($5) International Year of Astronomy - Meteorite Silver Proof
$350.00 AUD
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2009 Australian Five Dollar ($5) International Year of Astronomy - Meteorite Silver Proof - 3395 / 5100
Issued by the Royal Australian Mint Canberra for the International Year of Astronomy in 2009
Encapsulated in the centre of the coin are meteorite pieces. The pieces come from the Campo del Cielo ('field of heaven') meteorite shower that fell to earth around 4 000 years ago near Buenos Aires Argentina.
Composed mainly of iron with trace elements of nickel cobalt and phosphorous the meteorite is not radioactive but does have an evenly displaced magnetic field a common characteristic of most meteorite specimens.
The coin is housed encapsulated in a terra-cotta coloured hinged-lid presentation case accompanied by a numbered certificate outlining the authenticity of the meteorite and protected by a colourful cardboard shipper.
Despite the advertised limted minatge of 10,000, Mint records indicate that only 5100 proof coins were actually struck. This coin is 3398 / 5100
Specifications
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| Currency | Australian Dollar |
| Coin Type | Five Dollar, NCLT |
| Issued | 2009 |
| Monarch | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Effigy | Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait, by Raphael Maklouf |
| Face Value | 5 (x Dollar) |
| Mint | RAM |
| Mint Mark | None |
| Total Mintage | 5100 |
| Current | Yes |
| Material | 99.9% pure silver (.999) |
| Technology | Milled (machine-made) |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Orientation | Medal Alignment (Axis 0) |
| Size | 50 mm |
| Thickness | 3.5 mm |
| Mass | 50 grams (1.6075 troy oz ASW) |
Obverse Design
Central & Outer Features: Depicts a planetary path and orbits within our solar system showing Earth (with a tiny moon) circling the Sun.
Queen Effigy: Features a small-form 4th portrait of Queen Elizabeth II (designed by Ian Rank-Broadley) wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara.
Inscriptions: Includes ELIZABETH II, AUSTRALIA, 2009, and 5 DOLLARS
Reverse Design
Central Insert: A transparent capsule containing genuine, non-radioactive magnetic fragments from the Campo del Cielo meteorite shower (which fell in Argentina roughly 4,000 years ago).
Global Landmarks: Features intricate engravings of iconic world structures around the rim, including Mt Fuji, the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, the Sydney Opera House, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Stonehenge, and Egyptian pyramids.
Human Element: Interspersed with four or more human faces looking upward into the night sky.
Inscriptions: Features the text
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY 2009