2023 170th Anniversary of the Port Phillip Gold Pattern 1/4oz Four Coin Gold Proof Set

In 1853, English businessman William Taylor launched a venture to produce Australia’s first non-legal tender coins but by the time he was ready to begin production, gold prices had risen and his scheme collapsed. Taylor produced just a few of his distinctive kangaroo pattern coins, the inspiration for the Royal Australian Mint’s new set of four quarter-ounce gold investment coins.

The great gold rush of the early 1850s created wealth and a population boom in the struggling Australian colonies. But hard-working miners were paid less for their gold than its true worth, one of the many injustices which led to the Eureka Stockade rebellion of 1854.

Others saw opportunities, among them English businessman William Taylor who headed a venture to buy gold direct from the goldfields and mint it into coins which could be sold at a profit in England. Delays in launching production in Melbourne and a rise in the gold price scuppered the plan and only a few samples were produced. These kangaroo-marked coins, termed the Kangaroo Office patterns or Port Phillip Patterns, were Australia’s first non-legal tender investment coins. The few survivors are prized by collectors and are very valuable. Taylor’s actual original dies still exist and are held by Museums Victoria.

These rare coins are the inspiration for the Royal Australian Mint’s new coin set, comprising four quarter ounce gold proof coins paying homage to the original designs.

Each coin is struck by Royal Australian Mint from 1/4oz of 99.99% pure gold, these coins are issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965 and the set has a mintage of 750.

DESIGN

The reverse of each coin pays homage to the original Port Phillip Gold Pattern kangaroo designs. Each coin features the inscriptions “PORT PHILLIP AUSTRALIA” in a patterned appearance, the coin’s start year as well as the current year-date, the weight and purity. Each coin in the set has a weight inscription to the right paying homage to the original weights these coins were produced in.

The coin’s obverse features the memorial effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II designed by Jody Clark as well as the 2023 year-date and monetary denomination. The rim of the coins features the inscription “PURE AUSTRALIAN GOLD” in a patterned appearance.

PRESENTATION

Each coin is provided in a protective capsule and presented in a wooden case accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. The wooden case is placed in a black shipper box with a aqua coloured shipper with gold coloured print.

Technical Specifications (Per Coin)

ABOUT THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT

The Royal Australian Mint is the sole producer of all Australia’s circulating coins. Opened in 1965 and situated in the Australian federal capital city of Canberra, in the suburb of Deakin, the Mint is also a very popular tourist destination for visitors and locals alike. Swan Bullion Company is proud to be an authorised distributor for The Royal Australian Mint’s bullion and numismatic products.