The Perth Mint and Australia Post launched the 2011 Bush Babies series with two coins, the koala and the dingo. This aluminium-bronze dollar with a dingo pup is one of the two opening pieces of the five-coin run.

All five designs in the series — koala, dingo, bilby, sugar glider and kangaroo — are by artist Elise Martinson. Her baby animals look out brightly and alertly against a backdrop of Australian flora. The reverse reads Australian Dingo with the P mintmark; the obverse bears Ian Rank-Broadley’s portrait of Elizabeth II.

The issue was conceived as a joint project of the mint and the postal service. The coin was mounted on a card inside an illustrated envelope carrying a postage stamp with the same design; a round window shows both sides, and Australia Post’s Seal of Authenticity and number confirm the official nature of the issue. After the koala and dingo, three more coins followed one by one over the next three months.

The dingo also joined the silver line of the series: a half-ounce 50 cents proof was issued in a mintage of 10,000 and sold out. The base-metal dollar covers the same theme in a collection of Australian wildlife or of joint mint and postal issues.

UNC condition: the coin has never been in circulation, shows no wear and keeps its mint lustre.

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