Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

I am fairly new to collecting silver coins, but I really like the ones from the Perth mint, especially the lunars and kookaburras. I recently bought a 1999 kookaburra with a "privy mark" of the Connecticut state quarter.

Why on earth would an Australian coin have such a thing?!?! I'm from CT originally, so I think its really great, I'm just confused!

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

I sourced some notes for you Agmom!
I am guessing it's some sort of joint promotion between the US and Perth Mints.
Your coin is far rarer than those from the 2000 and 2001 series. Mintage for those years were 75,000.

Notes:
In early 1999, the US Mint launched the first in a series of new circulating quarters featuring historic designs honouring all of the US States in the order in which they joined the nation. Five designs will be released each year, the series being completed in 2008 when all 50 states will have been covered.

The first State quarter in the series was chosen by the Perth Mint to feature as the privy mark on this coin. The privy shows Delaware statesman Caesar Rodney on horseback, who rode 80 miles to Philadelphia to break the tie among Delaware delegates at the Continental Congress and vote in favour of Delaware accepting the Declaration of Independence.

Of the total mintage of 10,000 privy marked Delaware Quarter coins, only 1,000 were available for sale to Australian collectors, by ballot through the Perth Mint mail list. The publicity material and artist's impression initially released by the Perth Mint for this coin incorrectly showed the privy on a 2000 dated 1oz silver coin. In fact, a 1999 dated reverse design was used. The coin was presented in a see-both-sides display folder, accompanied by an original 1999 US Delaware quarter.
Of the total mintage of 10,000 privy marked Connecticut Quarter coins, only 1,000 were available for sale to Australian collectors, by ballot through the Perth Mint mail list. The coin was presented in a see-both-sides display folder, accompanied by an original 1999 US Connecticut quarter.

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

Thanks so much, Aurora et Luna, for taking the time to look up that information for me!

I don't have the folder, just the kookaburra - but I certainly have plenty of the Connecticut quarters. I guess I'll be on the lookout for other years with different states on them. I find the ASE nice enough, but rather boring to be worth paying a premium for. I wonder if the US mint would consider putting the seal of Australian states and territories on them - that would make them more interesting!



I wouldn't hold my breath on that, though.

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

Agmom, only the Delaware, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Connecticut privies are limited to 10,000 mintages. If you collect the rest the mintage is 75,000 each, expect to pay less.
Also keep an eye for Kooks with pure gold privies. Unusual, eye-catching and interesting.
A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to pick up one with a Dragon Privy. My favourite Kook at the moment.
Didn't realized that there was so much symbolism associated with the Dragon until I started researching this coin. Now it's also my lucky coin in these uncertain times.
It will probably cost twice as much as an ordinary uncirculated, however the pure gold content of the privy should help cover the extra premium.
Cheers

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...a/1997111r.gif

Notes:
In ancient China, only the emperor was allowed to wear clothes with dragons as decoration because the dragon was viewed as a symbol of royalty, power and mystery.

Today, the dragon is seen by the Chinese people as a benign animal that symbolises strength, adventure, courage and prosperity especially in times of adversity.

Unlike the fire breathing animals that inhabit the sagas and legends of the western world, Chinese dragons are thought to bring good luck to ordinary folks. Nevertheless, the dragon is also thought to be unpredictable because he possesses supernatural powers such as immortality and infinite wisdom.

The Chinese have come to believe that the dragon is the sun, the light and life itself.

The Perth mint has saluted this time honoured belief of the Chinese people with the release of this special issue coin incorporating a distinctive privy mark positioned on a pure gold insert featuring the legendary dragon. The coin was released in a red velvet, hinged-lid presentation case accompanied by a numbered certificate.

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

That is a beauty Aurora et Luna! Hope I am lucky enough to find one of those one day. :D

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

Is there a picture of this rare coin? The one with CT and Kook...

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

It's not a very good pic but this is all I can find. Sorry.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...a/1999261d.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...a/1999261e.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...a/1999261r.gif

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

I was also lucky enough to score a Panda and a Phoenix.
This pic of the phoenix Kook was badly shot. It needs a professional like Tom to bring out it real beauty.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...a/1997121r.gif

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...a/1996111r.gif

Notes:
For thousands of years, the phoenix has been a symbol of special significance for the Chinese people. It has been used as a symbol to indicate the direction south, as a symbol of immortality, power and the sun.

One of four emblems of royalty, the phoenix is usually associated with the Empress. It is also a supernatural creature revered by the Chinese who believe it appears only in times of peace and prosperity.

The phoenix is believed to control the 5 tones of Chinese music and to represent the Confucian virtues of loyalty, honesty, decorum and justice.

This mythical bird has been depicted by generations of craftsmen in numerous objects of art as well as items of everyday use.

The Perth mint honoured the great cultural significance of the Chinese people with the release of this special issue coin incorporating a distinctive privy mark positioned on a pure gold insert featuring the legendary phoenix. The coin was released in a blue velvet, hinged-lid presentation case accompanied by a numbered certificate.

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

I did a search after you mentioned those special privys and was able to track one down. Sadly it is in the UK so I may not be able to snag it.

Those are beauties though, that shows through the pictures regardless. :ok:

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

Any chance of a link Sejanus? I am interested in what sort of prices they are asking for these types of privies around the world.

I also purchased a Goya, Gaudi and Edison gold privies last week. I just love these types of Kooks.
Cheers

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

You should have yourself a PM on the way. :)

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

No problem...thanks for finding that. That's really interesting...I have never seen those before.

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

I've got a decent Kook collection, mostly acquired in a 3-year period 2005-2007. I bought mostly from ebay and shows but don't have a single privy mark. Maybe they weren't imported in large numbers over to this side.

A few years ago, Kooks were common and relatively cheap. They've since really taken off (!) and, when you can find them at all, there is a much higher percentage premium.

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

I have collected a few Kooks with silver privies over the years. They are OK but I am not that crazy about them.
If their premium isn't too high, I would buy them!
However I have studiously avoided buying Kooks with gold privies because of their higher premiums.
I broke down and splurged on some Dragon, Phoenix and Panda gold privies last month and now I am hooked.
The contrast between the gold and silver sticks out and the themes are very auspicious and in one case sexy. The Goya privy is a reclining nude:censored:
I don't value the 100% premium of a modern gold plated Kook but the pure gold insert of these older coins looks quite substantial and must be worth something.
All of these gold privies Kooks were produced before 2002 when the gold price was in a slump and even then these coins were issued with 100%+ premiums above an uncirculated.

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

Is there an actual measurable gold content to the gold privies or is it plated? I've got some "selectively gold plated" coins from the Perth and Canadian Mints. The Canadian Lunars are plated and are nice but far too pricey in my opinion.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...akecropped.jpg

Re: Kookaburra w/ CT state quarter privy mark
 

Really cool pics, Tom! I don't think my Kodak will be able to achieve those results.:biggrin:
The inserts are pure gold according to the COA
I did compare the weight between an 1997 uncirculated and the gold privy and the figures I have are approx. .22 of a gram. (1/140th oz of gold)