Australia's Silver Koala Coin

Earlier this week, we discussed how silver bullion coins, although not used as currency, are important symbols of a nation's heritage. What a country chooses to put on its silver coins points to that country's history and you can learn a lot from a small silver coin. The surface of a silver coin is small, so countries choose images that will have immediate impact.

In Australia, the Silver Koala coin is minted in more than one size, ranging from one half ounce to one kilogram. The one kilogram Silver Koala coin is one of the world's largest silver coins issued by a country's government. Unlike some of the other coins we have mentioned recently, the Silver Koala coin is used as currency. And--believe it or not, this silver coin has a face value of $30 (Aus).

This year's Silver Koala coin shows a young koala and a tree branch. The koala is native to Australia, so it is only fitting that it be on a silver coin produced by this country. The other side of this silver coin shows the head of England's Queen Elizabeth II. The words "Australia" and the "Elizabeth II" are also printed on this side of the coin.

This is interesting, since Queen Elizabeth II is not really the ruler of Australia. Australia ceased to be an English colony years ago. And yet there is an image of England's current monarch prominently displayed a valuable silver coin. The Koala on the other side is definitely something one associates with Australia... but the Queen of England? Isn't she a part of the country's past?

There is nothing wrong with paying homage to the past and it is not easy to let go of tradition. Are you finding it difficult to let go of some things from the past? Are you perhaps hanging on to some of your old silver, even though you have ceased to use it? That is okay, you do not have to let it go all at once. Try selling a few pieces of silver, like a silver necklace that you never wear or that silver cuff link that is missing its mate to a silver buyer. You have looked at your old silver thinking that you needed to do something with it. Now is the time to sell it and get cash for silver.