Christmas Island became an Australian Territory on 1 October 1958 under the Christmas Island Act. Fifty years on, this magnificent Perth Mint commemorative celebrates the Island’s anniversary with a coloured design celebrating its spectacular wildlife.
About Christmas Island
Located in the Indian Ocean approximately 2,650km north-west of Perth, Christmas Island was named by Captain William Mynors of the Royal Mary, who passed by on 25 December 1643. It became part of the British Empire in 1888 following the discovery of large quantities of phosphate of lime, an important resource. Under Australian jurisdiction, more than 60% of the Island is now protected for the benefit of its many unique and unusual species.
Proof Quality 99.9% Pure Silver
The coin is struck from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality.
Coloured Reverse Design
The coin’s reverse design depicts the Golden Bosun bird, which is unique to Christmas Island, and a coloured representation of a large Red Crab. Millions of Red Crabs migrate annually from the rainforest on Christmas Island to the sea in what is one of the wonders of the natural world. As well as The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark, the reverse also includes the inscriptions CHRISTMAS ISLAND, AUSTRALIAN TERRITORY and 50 YEARS 1958-2008.
Australian Legal Tender
Issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, the coin bears the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on its obverse.
Extremely Limited Mintage
The Perth Mint will release no more than 5,000 of these coins.
Presentation Case
Each coin is housed in a teal coloured presentation case. Each case comes within an illustrated box shipper.
Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
Each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Technical Specifications
| Silver Content (Troy oz) |
1 |
| Monetary Denomination (AUD) |
1 |
| Fineness (% purity) |
99.9 |
| Minimum Gross Weight (g) |
31.135 |
| Maximum Diameter (mm) |
40.60 |
| Maximum Thickness (mm) |
4.00 |
Christmas Island Residents: To receive GST-free pricing please ensure you chose ‘Christmas Island’ as your COUNTRY (not AUSTRALIA) when creating your membership and/or purchasing this coin.