$5 2009 International Year of Astronomy - Meteorite Silver Proof

Issued by the Royal Australian Mint Canberra for the International Year of Astronomy the obverse design of this coin shows the planetary path within our solar system as it circles the sun. A small-form effigy of the Queen also appears.

The reverse symbolically illustrates our connection with the planet through the use of famous landmarks from around the world including iconic places such as Mt Fuji the Eiffel Tower the Statue of Liberty and the Sydney Opera House. Interspersed with the landmarks are four faces looking towards the night sky reinforcing the International Year of Astronomy message of a global community sharing our universe.

Encapsulated in the centre of the coin are meteorite pieces. The pieces come from the Campo del Cielo ('field of heaven') meteorite shower that fell to earth around 4 000 years ago near Buenos Aires Argentina.

Composed mainly of iron with trace elements of nickel cobalt and phosphorous the meteorite is not radioactive but does have an evenly displaced magnetic field a common characteristic of most meteorite specimens.

The coin is housed encapsulated in a terra-cotta coloured hinged-lid presentation case accompanied by a numbered certificate outlining the authenticity of the meteorite and protected by a colourful cardboard shipper.

Mint records indicate that just 5100 proof coins were struck. 

• 50g 99.9% pure silver, 50mm diameter
• Mintage Limit 10,000, but only 5100 coins struck
• Cased FDC