Celebrating 40 Years of China and Australia Friendship Silver Coin

The Perth Mint of Australia is celebrating four decades of a flourishing relationship between two countries with the release of a new silver coin. The 2012 China and Australia 40 Years of Friendship Silver Coin is available now from the Perth and honors the relationship with a reverse design depicting two creatures from the affiliated countries.

2012 is the 40th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the country of China and the country of Australia. Official ties were formed on December 21, 1972 and have grown to become a strong bond fostered through commerce, travel, education and political channels. The interweaving of the two cultures has led to a greater understanding of both. In addition, it has also resulted in many Australian-born Chinese and Chinese-born Australians further solidifying the ties between the two countries.

Coin Designs and Specifications

Shown on the reverse is a kangaroo representing Australia and a giant panda representing China. The two animals are poised as if in recognition of one another. Both are considered iconic animals for their countries and their use on a single coin further exemplifies the relationship between China and Australia.

Shown above the animals are the colorized flags of Australia and China. Reverse inscriptions include "CHINA AND AUSTRALIA 40 YEARS" in both English and in Chinese. Also shown are the years of the lasting friendship of the two countries, "1972-2012." Additionally, the reverse contains the Perth Mint’s historic ‘P’ mintmark.

The obverse depicts Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The portrait is surrounded by the inscriptions of "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," "2012," "1 DOLLAR" and "1 oz 999 SILVER."

The coin is composed of one ounce of 99.9% pure silver. It is struck as legal tender of Australia under the Australian Currency Act of 1965 and features a face value of AUS $1.

China and Australia Friendship Silver Coin Specifications

Silver Content (Troy oz)	1
Face Value (AUS)	$1
Fineness (% purity)	99.9
Minimum Gross Weight (g)	31.135
Maximum Diameter (mm)	40.60
Maximum Thickness (mm)	4.00

Each 40 Years of Friendship Silver Coin is presented in a black display case. Included along with the coin and case is a numbered certificate of authenticity that indicates the limited mintage of 5,000 coins. The coin ships inside an illustrated shipper which showcases pictures of a kangaroo and a giant panda.