A remarkable scene of a kangaroo greeting the rising sun adorns on this high relief, pure silver dollar piedfort (extra-thick coin)!

The kangaroo is one of the definitive symbols of Australia, the island continent. The Perth Mint and Talisman Coins are proud to bring you an incredible new addition to the renowned Australian Kangaroo coin series. Previously only available in pure gold from Perth, this is the second-ever silver Kangaroo proof from the Mint, a one ounce, pure silver dollar issued as the second annual silver release for collectors! The coin is struck in ultra high, medallic relief on a concave, extra-thick planchet (it is a piedfort) with a proof finish. It depicts a kangaroo greeting the rising sun; the roo appears poised to leap.

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An Ultra High Relief, Proof Piedfort!
Once again, the Perth Mint has done the fauna and natural beauty of Australia proud! The coin is struck in ultra high relief, with a frosted cameo proof finish, and is a piedfort (extra-thick coin), measuring a substantial 6 mm thick!

This Kangaroo & Rising Sun Silver Dollar is only the 4th high relief, silver piedfort proof released by the Perth Mint, following:

    Battle of Marathon 2500th Anniversary Military Silver Dollar
    Sydney Cove Medallion Allegorical Silver Dollar
    Boxing Kangaroos Silver Dollar

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What is a Piedfort?
Hard to find and popular with collectors for more than a century, piedforts are highly sought after. We get asked all the time, "What is a piedfort?" There are two different, but related, stories of the origin of the word "piedfort". The first says that it literally means "strong foot" in French (from pied, foot and fort, strong). The second says this word was appropriated by the mint centuries ago to mean "heavy measure" or "heavy weight". In both cases, the sense of serious heft to the coin is obvious.

Often the word "piedfort" is translated as "double-thick", but this is neither a literal translation nor a precisely accurate definition. Numismatically speaking, any coin that is 50% or more thicker than a standard version qualifies as a piedfort, although some piedforts are, indeed, twice as thick as normal.

Finally, the age-old question, "How is the word pronounced?" Coming from French, it is not pronounced as it is spelled; that is, don't say, "pide - fort". Rather, "pee - ay - four" (three syllables) is a good approximation.

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Australia's Own Red Kangaroo
The Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) is the largest of all kangaroos, the largest mammal native to Australia, and the largest surviving marsupial. It is found across mainland Australia, avoiding only the more fertile areas in the south, the east coast, and the northern rainforests.

This species is a very large kangaroo with short, red-brown fur, fading to pale buff below and on the limbs. It has long, pointed earlobes and a squared-off muzzle. Females are smaller than males and are blue-gray with a brown tinge, pale gray below, although arid zone females are colored more like males. It has two forelimbs with small claws, two muscular hind-limbs, which are used for jumping, and a strong tail which is often used to create a tripod when standing upright.

The Red Kangaroo lives alone or in small groups called "mobs" (although food shortages can cause them to congregate into larger groups). Each mob is usually made up of two to ten 'roos, but sometimes a mob can consist of up to several hundred. Membership of these groups is very flexible, and males (boomers) are not territorial, fighting only over females (flyers) that come into heat. The largest males are dominant, and control most of the matings.

When male kangaroos fight, they may appear to be "boxing". They usually stand up on their hind limbs and attempt to push their opponent off balance by jabbing him or locking forearms. If the fight escalates, they will begin to kick each other. Using their tail to support their weight, they deliver kicks with their powerful hind legs.

These herbivores' legs work much like a rubber band. Males can leap over 30 feet (9 meters) in one leap! Kangaroos are adept swimmers, and often flee into waterways if threated by a predator. If pursued into the water, a kangaroo may use its forepaws to hold the predator underwater so as to drown it. The Red Kangaroo is too big to be subject to much non-human predation. They can use their robust legs and clawed feet to defend themselves from attackers with kicks and blows. However, dingoes and eagles will kill and eat joeys. Joeys are thus protected in their mother's pouch.

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Obverse
A kangaroo poised about to leap, in front of the rising sun. The Perth Mint's "P" mint mark is judiciously placed to the right, at the 3:00 position near the rim. The legend AUSTRALIAN KANGAROO defines the theme, while the legend 1 OZ 999 SILVER guarantees the weight and purity.

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 Reverse
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, in crowned profile facing right. This portrait, featuring Her Majesty wearing a tiara and pearl earrings, was executed by the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley. The legend ELIZABETH II, the date of issue and denomination also appear.

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Packaging
The coin is encapsulated inside a handsome taupe leatherette, clamshell-style presentation case, lined with black velvet and satin, and protected by a full-color outer box. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included.