Numismatic

1988 Australia 1 oz Proof Gold Nugget

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In 1988, the Perth Mint celebrated a monumental piece of gold-rush history with a special proof-finish coin containing one troy ounce of 0.9999 pure gold. This sovereign issue, backed fully by the Australian government, carries a face value of 100 Dollars and stands as a testament to the continent's rich geological treasures. The reverse of this striking gold piece depicts the historic 'Welcome Stranger' nugget, an enormous natural gold specimen unearthed in 1869. The design captures the rugged, irregular beauty of the famous find, framed by the inscription detailing the weight and purity of the gold content. On the obverse, the elegant portrait of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Raphael Maklouf is showcased alongside the coin's denomination and the name of the issuing nation. With a highly restricted mintage of just 679 pieces, this proof coin is a rare artifact of Australian numismatic artistry. The mirror-like fields and frosted details of the proof finish highlight the intricate textures of both the royal effigy and the raw, natural form of the historic nugget itself.