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Commemorate the European discovery of the Land Down Under 400 years ago by explorer Willem Janszoon with this Australia on the Map pure silver dollar, depicting the tall ship Duyfken under full sail as she maps the coast of Australia in 1606!

Four hundred years ago, Dutchman Willem Janszoon of the Dutch East India Company became the first authenticated European to sight, map and land on the Australian continent, sailing his ship Duyfken (literally, the Little Dove). To celebrate the 400th anniversary of this  historic event, the Perth Mint and Talisman Coins are proud to bring you this low mintage, full color silver dollar. Under the command of Willem Janszoon, Duyfken sailed from Bantam in Java at the end of 1605, in search of trade opportunities on behalf of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). By March 1606, the expedition had crossed the Arafura Sea and sighted the Australian continent, sending a landing party ashore near the future site of the Queensland town of Weipa. Janszoon and his crew, who became the first documented Europeans to encounter aborigines, literally put Australia on the map!

This special edition, full proof finish silver dollar is struck in full color in one troy ounce of pure silver. The coin’s obverse reproduces a full color representation of Janszoon's original map of a section of Cape York. The design also features an image of the Duyfken, in cameo frosted relief, under full sail. Other design elements include a stylized compass rose with a fleur-de-lis indicating north, the legend AUSTRALIA ON THE MAP and the dual dates 1606 -2006 as well as The Perth Mint's famous "P" mintmark. With its sailing ship theme, full color, and low mintage, this proof silver dollar is very difficult to locate, much less in pristine, original condition, so get yours while you still can!

The presentation is superb! This silver dollar is housed in a stitched leatherette case, which comes in a spectacular, full color outer box with a decorative cartouche on the lid. An exquisite rendering of the Duyfken appears inside the box. It is accompanied by a replica of the original Dutch map and an individually numbered certificate of authenticity.

Willem Janszoon and the Discovery of Australia
Four hundred years ago, Dutchman Willem Janszoon of the Dutch East India Company became the first authenticated European to sight, map and land on the Australian continent, sailing his ship Duyfken (literally, the Little Dove). To celebrate the 400th anniversary of this  historic event, the Perth Mint and Talisman Coins are proud to bring you this low mintage, full color silver dollar. Under the command of Willem Janszoon, Duyfken sailed from Bantam in Java at the end of 1605, in search of trade opportunities on behalf of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). By March 1606, the expedition had crossed the Arafura Sea and sighted the Australian continent, sending a landing party ashore near the future site of the Queensland town of Weipa. Janszoon and his crew, who became the first documented Europeans to encounter aborigines, literally put Australia on the map!

Dirk Hartog (1580 – 1621) was a seventeenth century Dutch seaman and explorer. After working as a private merchant in the Baltic and Mediterranean seas, he entered the employ of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), and was appointed master of a ship called the Eendracht, in a fleet that would voyage from the Netherlands to the Dutch East Indies.

After setting sail in January 1616, Eendracht became separated from the fleet in a storm and ended up at the Cape of Good Hope, which would later become Cape Town, South Africa. After leaving the Cape, Hartog sailed across the Indian Ocean bound for Batavia, now known as Jakarta. However, he sailed further east than he meant to and on 25 October 1616 he landed on an island off the coast of Shark Bay, Western Australia. That island is now known as Dirk Hartog Island.

Hartog spent three days examining the coast and nearby islands. He named the area Eendrachtsland after his ship, but this name has not endured. When he left he affixed a pewter plate to a post, an artifact now known as the Hartog plate. On the plate he had scratched a record of his visit to the island. Its inscription (translated from the original Dutch) reads:

1616 On 25 October arrived the ship Eendracht, of Amsterdam: Supercargo Gilles Miebais of Liege, skipper Dirch Hatichs of Amsterdam. on 27 d[itt]o. she set sail again for Bantam. Deputy supercargo Jan Stins, upper steersman Pieter Doores of Bil. In the year 1616.

Eighty years later in 1696 the Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh landed on the island and by chance found Hartog's original plate, which by now lay half-buried in sand. De Vlamingh replaced it with a new plate which reproduced Hartog's original inscription and added notes of his own. He removed Hartog's original plate and transported it back to Amsterdam, where it may now be seen in the Rijksmuseum.

Technology Note
The Perth Mint of Australia employs its own proprietary colorization technology, in which the color is actually sealed on the coin. The vibrant hues and precise execution of the technology create a stunning, full-color portrait on each coin.

Obverse
The coin’s obverse reproduces a full color representation of Janszoon's original map of a section of Cape York. The design also features an image of the Duyfken, in cameo frosted relief, under full sail. Other design elements include a stylized compass rose with a fleur-de-lis indicating north, the legend AUSTRALIA ON THE MAP and the dual dates 1606 -2006 as well as The Perth Mint's famous "P" mintmark. The legend 1 OZ 999 SILVER guarantees the weight and purity.

Reverse
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in crowned profile facing right. This portrait, featuring Her Majesty wearing a tiara and pearl earrings, was executed by the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley. The legend ELIZABETH II and denomination also appear.

Packaging
The presentation is superb! This silver dollar is housed in a stitched leatherette case, which comes in a spectacular, full color outer box with a decorative cartouche on the lid. An exquisite rendering of the Duyfken appears inside the box. It is accompanied by a replica of the original Dutch map and an individually numbered certificate of authenticity.

Specifications