2023 Proof Gold and Silver Wedge-Tailed Eagle

2023 Gold and Silver Wedge-Tailed Eagle Proofs with a Spectacular Incuse Design and an Exquisite Proof Finish!

Releases from Australia’s Perth Mint have been so magnificent for so long, the surprise would be if the mint released a mundane, boring coin. You’ll have to continue waiting for that to happen though, because this new entry in the Wedge-Tailed Eagle John Mercanti-Perth Mint collaboration is anything but boring—thanks to a stunning incuse design and a superb proof finish!

History-Making Collaboration Continues

Australia’s Wedge-Tailed Eagles first made history in 2014 when John Mercanti—the 12th Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint and the man who has produced more coin and medal designs than any employee in U.S. Mint history—collaborated with the Perth Mint, marking the first time ever that a U.S. Mint engraver designed a coin for a foreign mint. The response among collectors worldwide was overwhelming, and the Australia Wedge-Tailed Eagle series continues to be among the most anticipated releases each year, for collectors all around the globe.

Here, then, is the tenth release in the series, and the eighth new Mercanti Wedge-Tailed Eagle design.

Spectacular New Mercanti Wedge-Tailed Eagle Design

With this one-year-only design, Mercanti’s brilliance has resulted in a detailed depiction of a majestic Wedge-Tailed Eagle preparing for takeoff from a tree branch on the reverse. The massive bird’s wings are open, which in real life can mean a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet. The 2023 year-date, weight, purity, and Perth Mint’s traditional “P” mint mark are included in the design as well.

The obverse portrays Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem, which was worn for her Coronation, designed by Jody Clark, formerly an engraver for The Royal Mint and the man who created the last definitive coin portrait of the late Queen.

A First for the Perth Mint—Impressive Incuse Design!

This 2023 release represents the first time that Wedge-Tailed Eagles minted in the specifications available here have been struck in superb incuse, meaning the design is struck further below the coin’s surface. In addition, each coin boasts an appealing proof finish. Typically, proof finish coins are produced in relatively low quantities, and are considered more beautiful than their standard counterparts. That is certainly true in this case. These Proofs are gorgeous! And limited.

Struck in High-Purity Gold and Silver

These 2023 Wedge-Tailed Eagle Proofs are struck in one ounce of 99.99% pure gold, $100 Australia legal tender, or in ten ounces or one ounce of 99.99% fine silver, $10 and $1 Australia legal tender, respectively.

Certified Flawless PF70 UC and First Day of Issue by NGC

Proofs and coins are graded on a 70-point scale, with a grade of 70 representing absolute perfection, even under magnification. There is no higher grade, and that’s what you have here. These 2023 Wedge-Tailed Eagle Proofs have been certified as perfect Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70 UC) by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), one of the top coin-grading services in the world. The Ultra Cameo (UC) designation signifies these coins possess an intense frosted finish on both sides of the coin, with highly polished fields accenting the raised elements.

Each Proof has also achieved a First Day of Issue (FDI) designation—which means each of these coins was turned over for grading on the first day of release from the mint. First Day of Issue proofs are sought-after because they are fresh and sharp, minted early, and because there are so few of them compared to the overall population.These Proofs are not just the best of the best, they’re the first of the best.

Exclusive John Mercanti Hand-Signed Signature Labels

Each of these perfect, flawless Proofs comes sonically sealed with an exclusive Australian Flag label with a hand-signed signature from the reverse designer, John Mercanti, displayed in a Perth Mint presentation case, with a Perth Mint-numbered certificate of authenticity.

Exclusive and Low Worldwide Mintages

Our Scarce & Unique Division has secured exclusive worldwide distribution on all 2023 Wedge-Tailed Eagle coins outside Australia. Even so, these Wedge-Tailed Eagle Proofs have highly limited worldwide mintages—just 500 of the one-ounce Gold Proofs were authorized with only 290 of those available outside Australia, just 500 of the ten-ounce Silver Proofs were authorized, and just 5,000 of the one-ounce Silver Proofs were authorized with only 1,990 available outside Australia. Fewer of all of these are available in perfect PF70 UC condition, designated as First Day of Issue, with a hand-signed label. You can also choose a 2-Pc. Set consisting of the one-ounce Gold and the one-ounce Silver Wedge-Tailed Eagles. Take a look to see why these impressive Wedge-Tailed Eagle Proofs belong in your collection!

2023 Australia One-Ounce Gold Wedge-Tailed Eagle Proof Incuse PF70 UC FDI

John Mercanti One-Year-Only Reverse Design
One Ounce of 99.99% Pure Gold
FIRST EVER Incuse Design for this Specification
Proof Finish
$100 Australia Legal Tender
Perfect Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70 UC) Grade by NGC
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue (FDI)
Hand-Signed Label by Reverse Designer John Mercanti
Only 500 Authorized
Limited Availability

2023 Australia Ten-Ounce Silver Wedge-Tailed Eagle Proof Incuse PF70 UC FDI

John Mercanti One-Year-Only Reverse Design
Ten Ounces of 99.99% Pure Silver
FIRST EVER Incuse Design for this Specification
Proof Finish
$10 Australia Legal Tender
Perfect Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70 UC) Grade by NGC
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue (FDI)
Hand-Signed Label by Reverse Designer John Mercanti
Only 500 Authorized
Limited Availability

2023 Australia One-Ounce Silver Wedge-Tailed Eagle Proof Incuse PF70 UC FDI

John Mercanti One-Year-Only Reverse Design
One Ounce of 99.99% Pure Silver
FIRST EVER Incuse Design for this Specification
Proof Finish
$1 Australia Legal Tender
Perfect Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70 UC) Grade by NGC
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue (FDI)
Hand-Signed Label by Reverse Designer John Mercanti
Only 5,000 Authorized
Limited Availability

Extremely Limited Availability

Authorized worldwide mintages for each of these Gold and Silver Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Proofs are very limited—ranging from a “high” of 3,106 five-ounce silver coins authorized, to a low of just 32 kilo gold coins. Additionally, the Proofs here are perfect, with a First Releases designation.

Seriously—don’t wait on this. Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, demand has been high for coinage featuring the effigy of Her Majesty, and these coins go a step beyond with a brand new memorial reverse plus the first definitive portrait of King Charles III on the obverse. These coins, in perfect condition with sought-after designations, will not be available for long—especially considering the limited mintages.