2021 Australia $100 1-oz Gold Beneath the Southern Skies: Platypus BU

The Platypus Makes Its Mark On 2021’s Beneath the Southern Skies Gold Coin

In 2018, the coin world mourned the passing of the great Stuart Devlin, the Australian-born designer who had left an indelible mark in the field of numismatics both in his home country and around the world. But while gone, his designs continued to inspire a new generation of artists. To pay tribute to the life of this great man, The Royal Australian Mint searched through its archives and found an original draft Devlin had completed 50 years earlier that was never used on a coin. Now retrieved and revised, the design is featured on a new gold and silver bullion coin series — and 2021 marks the second year of the series!

2021 Edition Features Distinctive Platypus Mark

Entitled as “Beneath the Southern Skies,” coins, the fantastic $100 legal-tender coin available here was struck in a full ounce of 99.99% pure gold. It depicts the Australian continent alongside the Southern Cross constellation. To differentiate it from other coins in the series, the 2021-dated release features a tiny platypus struck into the Australian continent where the city of Deakin appears on the map. Deakin is home to the Royal Australian Mint in southeast Australia about 185 miles south of Sydney.

The Southern Cross Constellation

While those of us in the northern hemisphere are unable to view the Southern Cross constellation, it’s one of the most recognizable constellations of the southern hemisphere and one that has been used by travelers and explorers for centuries as a navigational guide. Named for its five brightest stars that, when viewed together, form a cross positioned north, the Southern Cross is recognized symbol of loyalty and has been an inspiration for poets and musicians across the world.

The Legendary Stuart Devlin

Stuart Devlin (1931-2018) was born in Geelong, Australia where he began a career in goldsmithing and goldsmithing at the age of 17. In an illustrious career that spanned more than 70 years, he designed coins for Australia, the United Kingdom and more than 30 other countries. He rose to prominence in 1964 when he won a competition to design Australia’s first decimal coinage. Among his other famous works were Australia’s now-iconic “Red” kangaroo series and the coins and medals for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Coin Program. As if his skills weren’t obvious enough, they were honored once again in 1982 when he was appointed Goldsmith and Jeweler to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Each coin available here comes in original Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition as fresh and crisp as the day it left the mint. Whether you’re a fan of Australian coins, Stuart Devlin or just like adding pure gold to your collection, this coin is for you. Add one to your cart today!

COIN HIGHLIGHTS:

• AN ORIGINAL STUART DEVLIN DESIGN – This coin features an original draft design by Stuart Devlin that featured the Australian continent alongside the Southern Cross constellation. This draft was retrieved from the Royal Australian Mint’s archives and revised with intricate detail to pay tribute the designer who passed away in 2018 at the age of 86. The 2021 release also includes a small Platypus image on the map where the Royal Australian Mint is located.
• STRUCK IN HIGHLY PURE GOLD – Each 2021 Australia Gold Beneath the Southern Skies Coin was struck in one ounce of 99.99% pure gold and measures 38.74 mm in diameter.
• AUSTRALIAN LEGAL-TENDER – These 2021 Australia One-Ounce Gold Beneath the Southern Skies Coins are $100 legal tender in Australia.
• BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION – Your 2021 Australia One-Ounce Gold Beneath the Southern Skies Coin will come in original Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition, as fresh and crisp as the day it left the mint.

This Brilliant Uncirculated 2021 Australia One-Ounce Gold Beneath the Southern Skies coin features a never-before-used Stuart Devlin design. Order yours today!