The Perth Mint is releasing a Silver proof 1 oz coin with an Opal insert of a Koala with a mintage of 8,000. The coin looks pretty. It will cost approx. US $150 with delivery from the Perth Mint. This is pretty pricey. Do you think expect this coin to have much interest in the US and any price appreciation?
I'm not a big fan of coins with gemstone insets. Wasn't there a series with birthstones a while back? And Polish coins with Amber?
Speaking of coins with insets - I just came across a whole series of medals with meteorite fragments embedded in them. It looks like someone is selling off a pretty intense collection (but also for way more than I can afford right now): http://www.ebay.com/itm/elf-USA-Canyon-Diablo-Meteorite-Medal-2007-284-300-/370581671445
I like the look of the Australian coin, but I always worry about coins with insets, will they stay inset? Secondly, any time a coin gets past struck metal it makes me uneasy, like colorized issues, etc. While I applaud the look of this coin, I personally feel insets on coins stretch the definition of "coin" a bit too much for my tastes. Thing about taste, though, is its different for everyone.
GeorgeM, NZmint has issued many meteorite coins (for Palau and cook islands) here is latest. 2006 issue originally sold at $50 now sells for over $200. Source
I like the look of the coin also, but I would not purchase it. It's not because of the price, but because I don't like a coin to have anything on it other than coin. I don't like color on it, stones on it, etc., etc. I think people are pretty much in 1 camp or the other in this regard, either pro-gunk or anti-gunk. As far as general interest in the coin, I think there will be. If you have noticed, the number of colorized and othewise gunked-up coins has been increasing dramatically. I would think they are being produced because somebody is purchasing them. As far as embellished coins go, this is 1 of the better ones. If I was a fan of this type of coin, I would seriously consider getting it. It seems very well done and almost looks like a piece of jewelry. As far as price appreciation goes, it seems a great number of Perth Mint issues experience price appreciation. Their coins are generally very artistic and have a great finish and production quality.
