2022 Mini Money – Kookaburra gold coin from Australian Mint
- July 27, 2022
- by
- Pierre
The Royal Australian Mint’s Mini Money gold coin series features a selection of Australia’s iconic native animals.
The Kookaburra, one of Australia’s most recognisable and distinctive birds, is presented on the second coin in the series. Kookaburras can be found throughout eastern Australia, from Queensland to South Australia, and have been widely introduced into Tasmania, Western Australia and even New Zealand.
The Kookaburra is a large kingfisher bird, but unlike other kingfishers, the kookaburra rarely eats fish. With an estimated population of 65 million, kookaburra’s can be typically found in eucalyptus forest and woodlands throughout Australia and well as urban parks, gardens and backyards – sometimes stealing food!
Often referred to as the ‘laughing kookaburra’ for its distinctive vocal pattern, the kookaburra call is not as friendly as it may appear. Their calls are actually warming other birds to keep away. Researchers have found that family units will laugh in a similar manner and vocalise together to amplify their claim to their territory.
ALEKSANDRA STOKIC, engraver of RAM (Royal Australian Mint)
and designer of KOOKABURRA coin obverse
Sources: Royal Australian Mint and NUMISMAG.
