Koalas & Candy Cane

[Serendipity]

Today I received thirteen silver Koalas from @ChardsCoinandBullionDealer. I also received a delicious complimentary candy cane with my order. Beginning in 2007, the Perth Mint introduced the silver Koala series in both gold and silver. Each year features a different design of this animal that is so strongly associated with Australia.

2018 1oz Australian Silver Koala (BU). Obverse: The Ian Rank-Broadley likeness of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination. Reverse: Portrays a koala sitting on the branch of a eucalyptus tree surrounded by gum leaves. The inscription "Australian Koala", the Perth Mint's "P" mintmark, the 2018 year-date, and the .9999 purity are also featured in the design.

When early European settlers first encountered koalas in Australia, they thought the tree-climbing animals were monkeys or bears. Even though they're still referred to by some as "koala bears", they're actually marsupials like kangaroos and wombats. 

Koalas have special physical characteristics that complement their tree-dwelling lifestyle. They're able to grip branches and pick eucalyptus leaves with their two opposable digits, and their tough skin and sharp claws provide traction in climbing. They even have extra thick fur on their seat so they can sit comfortably on branches for hours! Unique to Australia, these animals are a perfect theme for an iconic coin series.

[AgCoyote]

The 2018 Koala is one of those coins that doesn't impress you when you look at it online, but it's really a very nice coin when it's in your hand. Love the subtle contrast between the trees, flowers and Koala.

I wish I could find a  Kilo 2018 Koala.