It seems that just about everyone wants to get involved in releasing a bullion coin at the moment and the Perth Mint are certainly making that happen lately, with a string of commissioned coins. Just recently we’ve had the Saltwater Crocodile, the Great White Shark, the Wedge-Tailed Eagle and to a lesser extent, the latest Stock Horse. That’s not even allowing for coins like the Yellowfin Tuna silver bullion coin not produced by Perth.

This latest one foregoes the usual nature theme for something a little different and perhaps, more interesting as a result. It features a head-on view of a warship and the subject is the Battle of the Coral Sea. Available as a 1/2-ounce fine silver coin, the US company Goldline also has a 1/10-ounce gold version up for sale that has yet to appear on the Perth Mints own website. Mintage is unlimited and the coin is sold by Goldline in the US and the Perth Mint itself in Australia only. At the time of writing we’ve had issues accessing Goldlines site but it may be different for you.

REVERSE: features a representation of the Southern Cross and the American flag with a naval ship sailing in the foreground. The design includes the inscription BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA, WAR IN THE PACIFIC 1941-45, and The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark.

OBVERSE: depicts the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2014 year-date, and the monetary denomination

PACKAGING: Acrylic tubes of 25 coins with 20 tubes to a 500-coin monster box. It’s likely dealers will offer individually also.