In Stock and Ready for Immediate Shipment!
Long SOLD OUT at the Perth Mint!
Ginger Meggs, Australia's answer to Dennis the Menace, has been entertaining readers even longer - since 1921! Ginger enjoys worldwide popularity, being syndicated in over 120 newspapers in more than 30 countries, and has been adopted as an unofficial mascot by redheads across the globe! Although many Americans may have only a passing familiarity with this rambunctious youngster, they can certainly appreciate his feisty and rebellious spirit!
Please note that the mintage limit for the Ginger Meggs pure silver proof is only 3,000, not the customary 7,500 typical of Australian legal tender proof silver dollars! A quick sell out at the Mint was anticipated & has occurred! What a phenomenal, low mintage silver dollar to add to your holdings.
The Mischievous, Red-Headed
Trouble-Maker
This great new release celebrates the 90th anniversary of the creation of Ginger Meggs, Australia’s longest running comic strip. The proof finish, pure silver dollar with color is presented in a prestigious, wooden presentation case, which includes a replica of the iconic Meggs design inserted inside the lid. A specially designed, full color certificate of authenticity that features cartoons depicting the strip’s designers, an a full color outer box, accompany this wonderful release. Perhaps best of all is the mintage limit - only 3,000 of these silver dollars will be issued, guaranteeing future scarcity.
The comic strip was created by Jimmy Bancks and is named for its main character, Ginger Meggs. Ginger is an independent, cheeky, twelve-year-old lad with a healthy disrespect for authority - characteristics that embody all the qualities of the quintessential Aussie larrikin (a boisterous, often badly behaved, young man, often a maverick with disregard for convention).
Ginger was first introduced in the Sydney Sunday Sun newspaper comic strip called Us Fellers on the November 13, 1921. The name Ginger was selected because of the limitations in the three-color printing process; blue, red or yellow, red being the only natural choice for hair color. Ginger had been just one of the many characters in the first episode of Us Fellers, but by the end of the year Bancks had taken over the scriptwriting, and developed Ginger as the star character.
There were many other evolutions, too, including Ginger’s surname. It started out as Smith but was later changed to Meggs. Meggs has been a staple entertainment for many generations of Australians who follow the characters’ escapades with avid interest.
When Bancks died in July 1952, artist Ron Vivian took up the Meggs’ mantle, drawing the strip until his death in 1973. Lloyd Piper followed, creating further adventures until his passing in 1984. Many noted artists submitted work for the vacant post as a Meggs’ cartoonist. James Kelmsley inherited the role and continued the legacy until his death in 2007. Just before he
died, Kelmsley wrote to the Bancks family to secure approval for Jason Chatfield to succeed him. Chatfield is Ginger Meggs’ youngest cartoonist; he continues to create the iconic cartoon strips as they appear today.
In 1985, a postage stamp honoring Ginger and his creator was issued by Australia Post as part of a set of five. There have been many adaptations of the stories of Ginger Meggs in other media, and the comic strip remains extensively syndicated worldwide to this day.
This great new release celebrates the 90th anniversary of the creation of Ginger Meggs, Australia’s longest running comic strip. The proof finish, pure silver dollar with color is presented in a prestigious, wooden presentation case, which includes a replica of the iconic Meggs design inserted inside the lid. A specially designed, full color certificate of authenticity that features cartoons depicting the strip’s designers, an a full color outer box, accompany this wonderful release. Perhaps best of all is the mintage limit - only 3,000 of these silver dollars will be issued, guaranteeing future scarcity.
The comic strip was created by Jimmy Bancks and is named for its main character, Ginger Meggs. Ginger is an independent, cheeky, twelve-year-old lad with a healthy disrespect for authority - characteristics that embody all the qualities of the quintessential Aussie larrikin (a boisterous, often badly behaved, young man, often a maverick with disregard for convention).
Ginger was first introduced in the Sydney Sunday Sun newspaper comic strip called Us Fellers on the November 13, 1921. The name Ginger was selected because of the limitations in the three-color printing process; blue, red or yellow, red being the only natural choice for hair color. Ginger had been just one of the many characters in the first episode of Us Fellers, but by the end of the year Bancks had taken over the scriptwriting, and developed Ginger as the star character.
There were many other evolutions, too, including Ginger’s surname. It started out as Smith but was later changed to Meggs. Meggs has been a staple entertainment for many generations of Australians who follow the characters’ escapades with avid interest.
When Bancks died in July 1952, artist Ron Vivian took up the Meggs’ mantle, drawing the strip until his death in 1973. Lloyd Piper followed, creating further adventures until his passing in 1984. Many noted artists submitted work for the vacant post as a Meggs’ cartoonist. James Kelmsley inherited the role and continued the legacy until his death in 2007. Just before he
died, Kelmsley wrote to the Bancks family to secure approval for Jason Chatfield to succeed him. Chatfield is Ginger Meggs’ youngest cartoonist; he continues to create the iconic cartoon strips as they appear today.
In 1985, a postage stamp honoring Ginger and his creator was issued by Australia Post as part of a set of five. There have been many adaptations of the stories of Ginger Meggs in other media, and the comic strip remains extensively syndicated worldwide to this day.
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 colored obverse depicts a representation of Ginger Meggs riding a kangaroo, his dog, Mike and his pet monkey, Tony. The design references the first Meggs cover of the 1924 Sunbeams Annual. Also incorporated in the design is the inscription, GINGER MEGGS 90TH ANNIVERSARY, which features the Ginger Meggs logo and the signatures of the cartoonists Bancks and Chatfield. The Perth Mint’s P mintmark is included in the design at the 6:00 position near the rim. 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 QUEEN ELIZABETH II and denomination also appear.
Packaging
The coin is encapsulated inside a timber or wooden, hinged presentation case, lined with black velvet and satin, and protected by a full-color outer box. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity, specially designed and featuring cartoons depicting the strip’s designers, is included.
| Country | Australia |
| Mint | Perth Mint of Australia |
| Year of Issue | 2011 |
| Face Value | One Dollar |
| Weight | 31.135 g |
| Diameter | 40.60 mm |
| Gauge (Thickness) | 4.00 mm |
| Mintage Limit | 3,000 |
| Finish | Proof with Color |
| Composition | .999 Fine (Pure) Silver |
| Edge | Reeded (milled, serrated) |
| Artist | Jason Chatfield (obverse) Ian Rank-Broadley (reverse) |
| Certificate | Individually Numbered |
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