An Argyle pink diamond represents the sun setting behind an iconic 1,500-year-old boab tree in a brand new — and strikingly unusual — 22-karat pink gold coin unveiled Tuesday by The Perth Mint.
Each coin in the limited mintage of 500 is hand set with a round .04-carat pink diamond. This is the first time a diamond has been incorporated into the design of an Australian legal tender gold coin.
Named “Kimberley Sunset,” the stunning two-ounce coins celebrate the Kimberley region of Western Australia, where spectacular sunsets ignite the evening sky with vivid pink, orange, red, purple and blue hues.
Kimberley is also home of Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine, which has produced 90% of the world’s pink diamonds, but is expected to cease operations in about five years.
The 22-karat pink coins are made from 91.67% gold and 8.33% copper. (The copper gives the coin its the pink color). Each coin contains two ounces of pure gold.
Each proof-quality coin has a denominational value of $500, but costs $6,000 to purchase.
The face of the coin features a beautiful high-relief rendering of a boab tree, which famously live 1,500 years or longer in the Aussie wilderness. The pink diamond is set just above the horizon on the left side of the coin. Etched sunrays radiate from the gem. Around the edge of the coin is the phrase “KIMBERLEY SUNSET," the year "2015," and the designation “2oz FINE GOLD.”
The coin’s obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Elizabeth II encircled by the Queen's name, the country of origin and the monetary denomination of "500 DOLLARS."
Each coin is housed in a black designer case and is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Images: The Perth Mint, YouTube screen capture
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