1 Ounce Gold Thorny Devil 2015 (Mintage: 150 | Proof)

1 oz Gold Thorny Devil 2015 – a Fine Gold Reptile in Only 150 Examples

• Strictly limited: worldwide mintage of only 150 pieces – a true rarity among modern gold Proofs.
• Growth potential: high appreciation potential due to the strict limitation and the consistently high demand among collectors.
• Collector value: an extremely rare issue that ranks among the lowest-mintage gold coins of its time.
• Minting quality: produced in the highest collector quality Proof (PP) with coloured finish.
• Design: a coloured Thorny Devil Lizard in a defensive posture, embedded in its sparse natural habitat.
• Material & fineness: 1 ounce (31.1 g gross weight) of purest fine gold with a fineness of 999.9.
• Manufacturer: minted by PAMP (Switzerland) on behalf of the Australian coin dealer Downies.
• Country of origin: official legal tender of the South Pacific island nation of Niue with a face value of 100 dollars.

With the 1 oz Gold Thorny Devil 2015, you are securing one of the most expressive gold coins from the world of reptiles. As a coloured collector's coin with a very low mintage of just 150 examples, this coin combines a full ounce of fine gold with an unusually vivid animal design. The coin is delivered in an elegant original wooden box with a numbered certificate of authenticity – a showpiece that should not be missing from any discerning collection.

Design: The Thorny Devil – Australia's Spiky Survival Artist

The design side depicts the Thorny Devil (Moloch horridus) in full colour and in its typical defensive posture. The lizard, covered all over with spines, is a master of camouflage in the Australian desert. Particularly striking is the "false head" on the back of its neck, which the animal presents to predators, while its spiky skin channels moisture from dew and sand towards its mouth – a fascinating piece of evolution that is reflected on this gold coin in vivid shades of red, orange and sand. Finely graduated reliefs allow the texture of the scales to stand out in three dimensions. The inscription THORNY DEVIL LIZARD frames the design.

The value side bears the classic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II after Raphael Maklouf, along with the country of issue, the year of minting 2015, the face value of 100 dollars, and the inscription "1 OZ 9999 GOLD". The coin is thus simultaneously official legal tender and a small work of art.

The Reptile Series "Australia's Remarkable Reptiles"

The Gold Thorny Devil is the second gold issue of the popular series "Australia's Remarkable Reptiles". The series was launched in 2014 with the Frilled Neck Lizard, followed by the Thorny Devil in 2015. Each gold issue is strictly limited to just 150 pieces – the coins were produced exclusively to order, which explains the low quantity and makes them true rarities. Accompanying the gold series, silver coins were issued with significantly higher mintages, such as a 1-ounce silver Proof for Tuvalu. A special authenticity feature of the gold coin is the individual edge inscription, whose number corresponds to the accompanying certificate.

Minting Quality and Presentation

The mirror-finish quality Proof provides deep, reflective surfaces and razor-sharp, frosted design elements. Combined with the elaborate colour finish, the result is an impressive collector's piece that makes the Thorny Devil appear almost lifelike. The coin is delivered in a high-quality wooden box together with a numbered certificate of authenticity – a presentation that does justice to the exclusivity of this issue.

Why the Gold Thorny Devil Captivates Collectors

This gold coin is primarily a highly sought-after collector's coin. Its appeal stems from the combination of a colourful design, flawless minting quality, and the consistent limitation to a tiny number of pieces. Those who collect rare animal designs or wish to complete the "Remarkable Reptiles" series will find a key piece here. Gold is one of humanity's oldest stores of value and has impressed for millennia with its enduring lustre. Profits from the sale of physical gold are generally tax-free in Germany after a holding period of at least one year; furthermore, investment gold is exempt from VAT (Value Added Tax).

A gold coin with a mintage of only 150 pieces is among the rarest collectibles that the modern coin market has to offer.

The Key Data at a Glance

• Precious metal: gold, fineness 999.9
• Weight: 1 ounce, gross weight 31.1 g
• Diameter: 38.61 mm
• Year of issue: 2015
• Country of issue: Niue, face value 100 dollars
• Quality: Proof, coloured
• Mintage: 150 examples worldwide
• Delivery: original wooden box with numbered certificate