Rare Australian Coins Exhibition to support Whitelion - Jun 21, 2007

KOOKAS IN THE CATHEDRAL               
21 - 25 MAY, 2007

The Cathedral Room
ANZ Gothic Bank
Cnr Collins and Queen Streets, Melbourne
10.00am - 4.00pm daily

Rare Australian coin dealer Coinworks, in conjunction with ANZ  will stage a five-day exhibition of one of this country's most significant (and valuable) coin sets - the remarkable 1.4 million dollar 'Kookaburra Collection' of historic square Australian coins - in Melbourne from May 21 to May 25.

Acquired by an anonymous Australian collector, with the assistance of Coinworks' Belinda Downie, this is the only time this unique set of thirteen coins will be shown to the public, before being locked in a vault for posterity.

The exclusive exhibition, by arrangement with ANZ will be held in Melbourne's historic Great Hall (Cathedral Room) of the former Stock Exchange of Melbourne.

The Kookas exhibition brings to life a tumultuous period in Australia's history, in the years following World War I, when the young nation's leaders considered, for the first time, introducing a uniquely Australian range of coins. The novel square designs would feature a laughing kookaburra on every coin.

The coins never went into production, but the few that were produced as trial coins are exceptionally rare, exceedingly valuable and have assumed an iconic prominence in the rare coin industry. This is the only set of its kind.

The 'Kookas in the Cathedral' collection will be officially unveiled at a gala VIP evening in The Cathedral Room on Monday 21 May by Melbourne's Lord Mayor Rt. Hon John So.
Due to the value of the collection the coins are being showcased in a high-security museum display case (similar to that used to display Ned Kelly's mask at the State Library of Victoria). Supporting the display will be historical information to impart the historical significance and rarity of each of the coins.  This display will have wide appeal for collectors, students of history, schools and the general public.

SO SMALL - BUT WORTH SO MUCH THIS MAY BE THE ONLY TIME YOU'LL EVER SEE THEM

Nominal gold coin donations upon entry will be donated to Whitelion to help our work with young people.