Following hot on the heels of New Year’s Eve revelries to ring in 2023, the world is now excitedly gearing up to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Traditionally known as the Chinese New Year, this annual 15-day festival is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. Devotees will bound into the Year of the Rabbit with an explosion of colour, revelry and red envelopes, in a magnificent celebration that has gained many western fans in recent years.

Observed for thousands of years across Asia and the Asian diaspora, this colourful and joyful period has been widely embraced in Australia, and for good reason! Sydney's Lunar New Year celebrations are thought to be one of the largest outside Asia as millions join in to exalt new beginnings, family, goodwill, and love!

Originally an agricultural holiday, the ‘Spring Festival’ is believed to have originated during China’s Shang Dynasty. Lunar New Year carries with it a trove of traditions that are based on an amalgamation of history, symbolism, superstition and myth. People celebrate Lunar New Year in different ways depending on their culture and family history, but many common threads unite adherents in setting an intention for a lucky and prosperous future.

Because the Lunar New Year is determined by the cycles of the moon the dates change each year. 2023 Lunar New Year falls on January 22, with revelries lasting until February 5. A colourful tapestry of traditions, the festival is distinguished by firework displays, red clothing and beautiful paper decorations intended to usher out the old year and bring forth luck and prosperity. There are customs to honour relatives who have died, and bless loved ones and the young with coins and money in red envelopes. The culmination of festivities is the Lantern Festival, during which people hang glowing lanterns in temples in a night-time parade.

An important tradition is the designation of a zodiac animal to each new year, with the attributes of that animal determining the fortunes of those born under its influence. The origin of zodiac animals lies in the legend of the Jade Emperor, who decided that there should be a way to measure time. It is said that he commanded all animals to compete in a race, with the first 12 animals being rewarded by having a year dedicated to them.

The rabbit is the fourth animal in the 12-year Chinese lunar cycle. A demure animal reliant on intellect rather than strength, the rabbit is believed to manifest longevity, prosperity, hope and peace and is representative of the moon in Chinese culture. Those born in the year of this auspicious creature are seen as lucky, kind and sensitive. Rabbits are considered social beings whose attention to detail make them great scholars. This animal also makes for an elegant and eye-catching artistic subject and there are a range of exceptional and exclusive coins available to commemorate it…

Make sure to celebrate the Lunar New Year in style, or honour the rabbit in your life in the best way possible! Downies Collectables has a huge range of spectacular Lunar New Year coins and commemoratives in a range of precious metals, including pure gold and silver, to suit every budget! Plus, there’s FREE SHIPPING available for a limited time, making Downie’s customers some very lucky bunnies! So bound into action now and make the Year of the Rabbit one to remember!

You can’t buy happiness – but you can collect coins! Make sure you take advantage of an exciting opportunity to own 24 remarkable $1 commemorative coins from the Royal Australian Mint and The Perth Mint with Downies Collectable’s latest offering, the Australian $1 Non-Circulating Commemorative Coin Collection.

Always a hit with collectors, Australian legal tender $1 commemorative coins represent the best that modern-day numismatics has to offer. Consistently eye-catching, these value-for-money coins encompass a wide variety of Australian historical themes, personalities & wildlife.

Low-mintage ‘must-haves’…

The Australian $1 Non-Circulating Commemorative Coin Collection is particularly notable for the inclusion of some extremely low-mintage issues - for the same regular monthly series price! Better yet, every coin in this collection is being offered in spectacular ‘as struck’ Uncirculated condition, gorgeously packaged in an illustrated presentation card! Examples of low-mintage issues include:

2019 $1 AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP: In 2019, The Perth Mint recognised the important role that immigration plays in Australian society with a stunning tribute to Australia’s newest citizens. This fantastic $1 coin boasts a tiny mintage of only 5,000!

2018 $1 SIR JOHN MONASH: In 2019, the Royal Australian Mint honoured Sir John Monash, one of the greatest allied generals of WWI and Australia’s most famous military commander, with a rare 7,500 commemorative $1 coins only.

All the thrill – without the hunt

Many months have been spent assembling limited numbers of this astounding presentation of commemorative coins. Heaven-sent for those wanting to start, or enhance, a $1 commemorative coin collection with a bang! Skip the hassle of spending hours searching for these treasures one at a time. Downies Collectables has done the hard work for you! The result is a one-of-a-kind collection that spans a decade (2011-2021). Easy to assemble, delivered straight to your door at the convenient rate of two coins per month, at a price you can afford. Heads or tails you win!

The numismatic adventure is off to a sensational start thanks to a fantastic introductory offer… Get your first two coins, struck by The Perth Mint, for just $30, plus FREE SHIPPING! Your first pair of $1 coins will include the 2014 $1 A.B ‘Banjo’ Patterson coin, celebrating the renowned Aussie poet, balladeer and author of ‘Waltzing Matilda’ and the iconic 2013 $1 Australian Wombat coin!

Desirable $1 coins included:

2012 $1 SIR DOUGLAS MAWSON: The Royal Australian Mint’s 2012 $1 commemorative coin honoured Sir Douglas Mawson - explorer, adventurer and one of the first men to reach the South Magnetic Pole.

2013 $1 AUSTRALIAN ECHIDNA: An endearing 2013 tribute to Australia’s one-of-a-kind monotreme, the Echidna. A popular issue of The Perth Mint’s Australian Bush Babies Series.

2019 $1 CENTENARY OF FIRST FLIGHT: Struck by The Perth Mint in 2019 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of Captain Ross Smith’s historic first flight from Hounslow, England to Darwin, Australia.

2018 $1 AUSTRALIA’S CONVICT ERA: In 2018, on the 150th anniversary of the last convicts transported to Australia, the Royal Australian Mint commemorated an important part of our history.

Very limited stock of the Australian $1 Non-Circulating Commemorative Coin Collection means you must sign up now to secure this offer and join the ranks of the elite few who are proud owners of these sought-after coins!

2022 is a special year for the numismatics community as it celebrates the milestone 90^th anniversary of Downies Collectables – Australia’s most trusted, family-owned, one-stop-shop for all things collectable! With unwavering dedication to its founding principles of quality, passion, integrity and community, Downies has become Australia’s foremost purveyor of coins, banknotes, commemoratives and more – offering the finest and most innovative products & services on the market!

Established by pioneering founder Phil Downie, the business began with just 20 customers in 1932! Nine decades later, both the numismatics industry and Downies Collectables have navigated phenomenal change, with the small mail order company evolving into an online powerhouse that plays a huge role in bringing the best the world has to offer to Australian collectors.

One thing that has remained the same for ninety years……. the guiding principle of this family-run business is an unwavering passion to bring magic to the everyday by helping people collect the things they love!

A trailblazing family-run business

Following a move from New Zealand to Australia, Phil Downie’s company, originally named PJ Downie, was on a mission to locate the finest collectables & numismatic masterpieces and deliver them to Australians. The company grew from strength to strength and played a significant role in fostering the ever-expanding Australian collector market. By the time Phil retired in 1985, and entrusted Downies to his son, Ken, he had established Downies Collectables as the ‘go-to’ destination for Australian numismatics.

Having worked at the company for several years, Ken was in the ideal position to both consolidate and build upon this pre-eminent position. A leader in a variety of collector associations over the years, Ken played a key role in establishing Downies Australian Coin Auctions – Australia’s oldest, most respected numismatic auction house.

The ‘go-to’ destination for numismatics & collectors

A willingness to embrace the internet at a very early stage brought Downies into the homes of collectors worldwide. A spirit of innovation and exploration also allowed the company to move into broader fields and offer convenient subscription services through Macquarie Mint.

Today, Downies Collectables is well known to many hobbyists, numismatists and collectors as the leading destination for a wide range of coins, banknotes, collectables, stamps, military memorabilia, games, Trade Tokens, commemorative medallions and more! Offering a truly ‘complete’ collector experience - covering everything from pop culture and model cars, to sovereigns, Australian currency and rare ancient coins.

The quest for reputable and cutting-edge products has led to Downies partnering with some of the world’s most important mints as the official distributor for countries as diverse as Japan, France, and Canada. As well as sourcing the best new innovative coins from pioneering companies, resulting in a diverse range of coins & commemoratives that push the limits of technology, artistry and design. The secondary numismatic market remains a cornerstone of the company’s offerings and a knowledgeable team of numismatists continue to source treasures of enduring value that inspire and educate a new generation of collectors!

The future looks bright - 2021 GOLD COIN OF THE YEAR!

With 90 years under the belt, the future at Downies Collectables is exciting! Downies recently won ‘2021 GOLD COIN OF THE YEAR’ at the international commemorative coin contest, Coin Constellation - 2021, for the ‘Royal Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II’ 1oz Gold Coin. The professional jury of the competition includes the largest museums, auction houses, numismatic societies and commercial banks from around the world.

In addition, Downies Collectables commitment to the wider community remains a core value – with the company actively supporting several charities and organisations such as Legacy, Kidney Health Australia, the Melbourne Museum and many more!

With a third generation of the Downies family waiting in the wings to lead the company, and a hard-working team committed to bringing customers the best in coins and collectables, the future of this 90-year old powerhouse has never looked brighter.

A full year of celebrations ahead!

To celebrate their huge milestone, Downies Collectables has big plans ahead to make this momentous occasion one to remember. There will be celebrations all year! Customers and collectors of all persuasions should keep their eyes peeled on Facebook and Instagram, as well as the Downies Collectables website, for some really great giveaways and promotions in the coming months! 2022 promises to be a great year for the collector community!

Kidney disease is predicted to impact 1 in 3 Australians at some point in their life.

Kidney Health Australia is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping people living with kidney disease, with a view to improving their health outcomes and quality of life as well as that of their families and carers.

You can donate to Kidney Health Australia to aid their mission to save and improve the lives of Australians affected by kidney disease.

DONATE TO KIDNEY HEALTH AUSTRALIA HERE

Raising Funds for Kidney Kids Camps

Every year, Kidney Health Australia hosts the Kidney Kar Rally – where teams drive through the country to raise money for the Kidney Kids Camps. The Camps offer free care and respite for kids who are suffering from Kidney Disease. Fostering a strong support network is vital for young people with a chronic illness.

Retailing at just $15, all proceeds of the medallion will go
directly to Kidney Health Australia.

Struck to proof standard, the 40mm medallion is finished in genuine gold. It also comes presented in a colourful, informative pack.

With the limited edition set at just 1,000, you’ll want to secure yours quickly! 

A chapter of Australian history is ending this year - with General Motors announcing the closure of the Holden brand for good. This is a devastating blow for car enthusiasts and the industry alike. Now, Macquarie Mint is launching the Holden Legacy Collection to remember the Australian legends.

Since the 1940s Holden has been raising the bar for Australian car manufacturing. Their desire to build ‘Australia’s Own Car’ resulted in the release of the ’48-215’ – simply known as the ‘Holden’.

Holden continued to produce a range of vehicles over the next 70 years. In that time, they released some of the most affordable high-performance cars on the market.

Generations of Australians have owned, driven, raced or modified a Holden. The good memories of most Australian’s involve a Holden or two.

Nine Commemorative Collection Honouring Holden

The 24-carat gold-plated commemoratives come housed in a FREE collection folder. Highly exclusive, the Holden Legacy Collection has a limited edition of just 10,000 collections worldwide. Officially licensed by Holden, this collection is a must-have for Holden fans! The Holden Legacy Collection features nine of the most iconic Holdens, with designs based on classic Holden advertising material.

Each medallion includes a free collector postcard, featuring the full design of the respective Holden Ad.

Some of the commemoratives feature… 

VFII Commodore Redline - The final vehicle to leave the Lion brand’s South Australian manufacturing line before production ceased. The most powerful Commodore ever, this car represents 39-years of Commodore manufacturing history.

HX Kingswood – Luxury and comfort at the right price! Owned by many families in the 70s, Gen Xers are likely to remember sitting in the back on family trips.

FJ Ute - A classic from the 1950s, the FJ Ute was considered an ‘all Australian car’. Many Aussies owned this as their first vehicle.

HK Monaro - Monaros have been in and out of production over the years. The original HK GTS featured the option of two Chevrolet V8s.

48-215 – ‘Australia’s Own Car’, produced in Fisherman’s Bend in 1948. The landmark car managed to wow everyone on launch day. Then PM, Ben Chifley, even exclaimed ‘She’s a beauty!’

Other featured Holdens can be viewed at downies.com/holden-legacy.

Subscribe Today and Save!

Subscribers will receive nine gold plated medallions at the rate of one per month. The first shipment is available at the special introductory price of only $29.95 with free delivery! Further monthly releases are available at the subscriber-only price of $59.95 each (Plus $12 postage, handling & insurance). Subscribers will also receive a free collectors presentation folder to store their complete collection in, plus free collector postcards. 

This is a collection that will be in high demand! For you Holden fanatics, this is a must-have collection to keep for generations. With such a limited mintage, you must act immediately to secure yours!

Buy now at downies.com/holden-legacy or call 1300 788 358.

Watch the Video

 

Celebrating 20 years of the famous children’s book, two more Gruffalo coins are about to take the Australian coin collecting world by storm.

He has terrible tusks, and terrible claws,

And terrible teeth in his terrible jaws.

He’s the Gruffalo!

-  Julia Donaldson, The Gruffalo

In 1999, a children’s book was released that would captivate the hearts and imaginations of kids across the globe. British author, teacher, singer and songwriter Julia Donaldson had struck gold with The Gruffalo, her charming tale of a canny mouse evading danger in the woods.

Adapted from a Chinese folk tale, the premise was simple.

Afraid of being eaten by the many sinister creatures asking him to dinner, a mouse invents an even greater foe: the gruffalo. His plan works, deterring his would-be attackers … Until he actually encounters a gruffalo, that is! Now what will he do?

The Gruffalo – a storybook phenomenon

Paired with delightful illustrations by Axel Scheffler, the story was an instant smash-hit. It spawned a follow-up in The Gruffalo’s Child, multiple stage plays, a film, toys and even a theme park ride. And this year, thanks to the Royal Mint, this whimsical tale has received more tributes: in cupro-nickel and precious sterling silver.

Initially released in February this year, a first wave of coins featured the Gruffalo’s iconic face. The Gruffalo proof coin, struck from sterling silver, sold out within hours of release. Demand was fierce, with children and collectors alike eager to get their hands on these beautiful British coins. And now, fans’ hearts are about to skip a beat: there’s a new design on the way.

The new Gruffalo coin

The mouse and the gruffalo face off against one another in this captivating scene, straight from the pages of the book. It has been captured in vivid full-colour on the silver Proof version, while the Brilliant Uncirculated coin showcases the Royal Mint’s superb minting standards.

The coins will be available for order later this month, so stay tuned for more information!

But for now, if you walk in the woods, best to be careful, just in case.  There’s no such thing as a Gruffalo …as far as we know.

Want to add the newest Gruffalo coins to your collection? Keep an eye on Downies’ Gruffalo range for updates!

Downies is proud to be involved in the Kidney Kar Rally for the 11th year. Launched in 1989, our very own Ken and Kath Downie will take part in the 31st Kidney Kar Rally this August.

While the Royal Australian Mint's Master Collection - being auctioned on May 26 at Box Hill Town Hall as part of Downies Australian Coin Auctions Sale 319 - is in and of itself a special event, on account of every item in the auction being a special production unit coin and not included in the official mintage, we've picked out a small selection of items that we feel are extra special and deserve a bit of added attention.

Lot 995 - 2009 $5 Silver Gold Plated Proof International Polar Year FDC
Particularly significant on account of being a gold plated version commissioned by the Royal Society of Victoria, only 500 coins were struck within the official mintage, with the above example being outside that mintage figure. Estimated at $300.

Lot 1046 - 1993 $10 Silver Proof Bird Series UNEP Cockatoo FDC
This coin has rarely been seen and was struck as part of the United Nations Environment Programme. Little is known about this release but it should be noted that on this production unit the strike is noticeably weaker than the standard and piedfort versions, and as a result appears to be missing feathers. Estimated at $250.

Lot 492 - 2004 $1 Eureka Stockade Al-Br Unc
Struck for the 150th anniversary of the Eureka Stockade and in the highest rarity BU quality, this coin is especially significant for having no mintmark. The regular mintage of coins were produced for the ANDA show mobile press and as such carry a counterstamp. We expect a lot of interest in this coin. Estimated at $1,000.

Lot 1141 - 2012 $3000 Gold Proof Like Lucky Dragon 1 Kilo FDC
With a worldwide mintage of just 99 coins, this 74.77mm 1 Kilogram Gold Coin (in exquisite FDC quality) is undoubtedly the headlining piece of the Master Collection and sure to pique the attention of every collector, regardless of their ability to bid within the $60,000 estimate.

An auction unlike any other in Australian history, Downies is delighted to present the Royal Australian Mint’s Master Collection – an assembly of ‘production standard master’ coins used to ensure the highest possible quality in the creation of Australia’s decimal coinage.

Uniquely Australian and never offered before!

The Royal Australian Mint holds just a single example of every issued Australian circulating and collector coin type as a production standard master coin. Each master coin is not included in the official mintage figure and has never previously been offered for public or private sale. With over 1,100 Royal Australian Mint master coins on offer, our next auction represents an outstanding opportunity for collectors to secure an important piece of the RAM’s proud 50-year history.

What makes these coins so special?

Two samples are selected from the first batch of coins struck. One of those samples is then selected as the quality standard and stored at the Mint’s quality control area. This coin is marked in red to identify them as the quality standard. The other coin is used by the Mint’s production team on the factory floor in order to check the quality of a sample taken from each subsequent batch of coins struck. After 5 years the coin used by the production team is destroyed, leaving only the coin stored in the quality control. This is therefore the only legal tender coin from a particular strike to not be included in the overall mintage figures, making it unique and of specific significance.

Updated Auction dates – Tuesday May 26 - Thursday May 28

To accommodate this unprecedented offering from the Royal Australian Mint, we have moved our next Downies Australian Coin Auctions sale to May 26 to 28 – to be held at the Box Hill Town Hall in Melbourne’s east. Viewing of the auction will take place at Downies Head Office in Mitcham for 5 days from May 20. Visit our Contact Us Page for location details.

The Royal Australian Mint's Master Collection Catalogue

You can view the complete list of items from the Master Collection at our Auction 319A Page, where you will find downloadable PDFs of the catalogue itself, as well as a website version that includes pictures of every coin offered in the Master Collection.

An auction unlike any other in Australian history, Downies is delighted to present the Royal Australian Mint’s Master Collection – an assembly of ‘production standard master’ coins used to ensure the highest possible quality in the creation of Australia’s decimal coinage.

Uniquely Australian and never offered before!

The Royal Australian Mint holds just a single example of every issued Australian circulating and collector coin type as a production standard master coin. Each master coin is not included in the official mintage figure and has never previously been offered for public or private sale. With over 1,100 Royal Australian Mint master coins on offer, our next auction represents an outstanding opportunity for collectors to secure an important piece of the RAM’s proud 50-year history.

What makes these coins so special?

Two samples are selected from the first batch of coins struck. One of those samples is then selected as the quality standard and stored at the Mint’s quality control area. This coin is marked in red to identify them as the quality standard. The other coin is used by the Mint’s production team on the factory floor in order to check the quality of a sample taken from each subsequent batch of coins struck. After 5 years the coin used by the production team is destroyed, leaving only the coin stored in the quality control. This is therefore the only legal tender coin from a particular strike to not be included in the overall mintage figures, making it unique and of specific significance.

Updated Auction dates – Tuesday May 26 - Thursday May 28

To accommodate this unprecedented offering from the Royal Australian Mint, we have moved our next Downies Australian Coin Auctions sale to May 26 to 28 – to be held at the Box Hill Town Hall in Melbourne’s east. Viewing of the auction will take place at Downies Head Office in Mitcham for 5 days from May 20. Visit our Contact Us Page for location details.

The Royal Australian Mint's Master Collection Catalogue

You can view the complete list of items from the Master Collection at our Auction 319A Page, where you will find downloadable PDFs of the catalogue itself, as well as a website version that includes pictures of every coin offered in the Master Collection.