2021 AUS Gold 2 oz 35th Anniv Australian Kangaroo Nugget Proof

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In 2021, a remarkable gold issue marked the thirty-fifth anniversary of a beloved numismatic tradition. This two-ounce gold coin pays tribute to the Australian Nugget series, which originally debuted in 1986. The release represents a significant milestone for The Perth Mint, which had not manufactured gold coins since 1931 until the introduction of this celebrated program. Backed fully by the Australian government as sovereign legal tender, this proof coin is struck from 0.9999 fine gold and was limited to a distribution of just 1,000 pieces. The obverse of the coin features a unique dual-portrait layout that honors the passage of time. It displays two distinct effigies of Queen Elizabeth II set against a backdrop of stylized sunbeams. One portrait is the 1986 depiction created by Raphael Maklouf, which appeared on the very first Australian Nugget release, while the other is the modern portrayal by Jody Clark. Legible inscriptions on this side detail the weight of two ounces, the 0.9999 gold purity, the 200 dollar denomination, and the 2021 year of issue. On the reverse, the design showcases a red kangaroo enveloped by radiating sun rays, a classic image conceived by Stuart Devlin. This side also incorporates a visual representation of the famous Welcome Stranger gold nugget alongside the number 35 to mark the anniversary. The reverse inscriptions read "AUSTRALIAN NUGGET 1986 (to) 2021" and display the traditional "P" mint mark, representing the historic Perth Mint.