Orbital Coins Blast Off from Australia with Sputnik in Mind

The Soviet Union launched Sputnik on October 4, 1957. The world’s first artificial satellite was about the size of a basketball, but it didn’t bounce like one.

It’s impact was instead a world-wide event that marked the start of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Setting aside country affiliation and pride, Sputnik was a huge technological achievement and is worthy of celebration on the eve of its 50th Anniversary.

The Perth Mint of Australia has done just that. Better, they’ve taken an innovative approach by creating an "orbital" coin. It’s a legal tender coin that actually has a moving, rotational outer rim. And they launched for release today.

What makes the Perth Mint ‘Orbital’ Coin unique?

If you’ve been around some of the large coin service websites in the last several weeks, including CoinNews.net, you’ve likely seen the spinning, "WORLD’S FIRST ‘ORBITAL’ COIN" ad.

For full disclosure on CoinNews.net’s part, all ads help pay bills. But what makes this Perth Mint product appealing is its originality - the ad and, more importantly, the coin details that come up when you click it.

The Perth Mint took a chance in creating a coin that’s more risky, yet looks fresh and innovative. Like the Royal Canadian Mint, the Perth Mint is creating coins that break the traditional mold. There’s something attractive about that.

Specifications of the 2007 Silver Proof ‘Orbital’ Coin

Will this orbital coin pan out as a desired and sought after collectible coin? That’s hard to say. Only time will tell for sure. It certainly is being talked about in a positive light. Minimally, it’s a heck of a conversation piece.

Here are the major specifications of the coin, as promoted by the mint:

• World’s First ‘Orbital’ Coin
• Proof Quality 99.9% Pure Silver, 1oz
• Revolutionary Reverse - the outer rim of the coin can revolve around the coin’s center
• Issued as Legal Tender
• Presentation Packaging
• Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
• Limited Mintage - 25,000

The price point for the coin is $89.50 AUD, plus shipping and handling. (Credit card processing handles the current exchange rate. The rate as of October 3 was 1 US Dollar = 1.12682 Australian Dollar.)

This is the first coin release from the Perth Mint’s 5-Coin Orbit and Beyond Series. The next coin in the series will commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the First Moon Walk. That looks to be even more interesting.