This remarkable five-coin collection pays tribute to Australia’s first five Governors - Arthur Phillip, John Hunter, Philip Gidley King, William Bligh and Lachlan Macquarie – whose leadership helped lay vital foundations for the future nation.
Proof Quality 99.9% Pure Silver
Each 2008-dated coin is struck by The Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality.
High Relief Reverse
The reverse of each silver coin portrays a Governor and a convict chain, which are struck in high relief.
Coloured Reverse Illustrations
Each reverse includes a coloured illustration of a symbolic moment in the Governor’s tenure:
Arthur Phillip (1788-1792)
Australia’s first Governor, Phillip commanded the First Fleet which entered Botany Bay before moving north to a permanent settlement in Port Jackson. The coloured reverse illustration depicts the Union flag being raised at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788.
John Hunter (1795-1800)
Improving life in the colony, Hunter developed democracy, enhanced the legal system, created a civilian police force and supported Bass and Flinders’ explorations. The coloured reverse illustration symbolises his reform of the management of convict labour.
Philip Gidley King (1800-1806)
Among his achievements, King brought order to the chaotic currency system. The coloured reverse illustration depicts his famous Proclamation, posted on the Government store in 1800, providing relative values for the mix of foreign coins in the colony.
William Bligh (1806-1808)
The former captain of HMS Bounty, Bligh’s attempts to limit the power of the corrupt NSW Corps ended in personal disaster. The coloured reverse illustration depicts the ‘Rum Rebellion’ of 1808 and his reputed effort to escape arrest by hiding under a bed.
Lachlan Macquarie (1810-1821)
The founder of Australia’s first bank and the mastermind of its first official coinage, Macquarie is considered a national icon. The coloured reverse illustration includes an image of the Holey Dollar and Dump, created by punching the centre out of Spanish silver dollars.
Issued as Legal Tender
Each coin, which is issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, depicts the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on its obverse.
Presentation Case and Booklet
The collection is housed in a leather-look book-style timber case accompanied by an 8-page historical booklet providing information on each Governor.
Free Print of Old Sydney
The collection comes with a bonus poster reproducing an image of old Sydney by Major Taylor (48 Regt.) and engraved by R. Havell & Sons in 1823. Measuring 404mm by 300mm, the free coloured poster is valued at $29.00. (Please note that this poster is folded for delivery.)
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Extremely Limited Mintage
Just 1,808 of these collections will be released.
Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
Each collection is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Commissioned Product