$5 Coins - Why different Types?

[brismike]

I have become interested in the 38.74mm base metal (Aluminium-bronze (58) & Copper-nickel (2)) $5 coins issued mostly by the RAM and Perth Mint lately.

After a lot of searching and mainly buying on Flea Bay I have got a copy of each one of them in my collection.

You can see them on Numista where I updated the coin database regarding them here....
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/index.php?mode=avance&p=1&r=&e=australie&d=&ca=3&no=&i=&v=5.00&m=Aluminium-bronze&a=&t=38.74&dg=&w=&g=&f=&c=&co=y&cno=y&cc=y&cn=y&cj=y&ce=y&cu=y&cat=y

and here....
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/index.php?mode=avance&p=1&r=&e=australie&d=&ca=3&no=&i=&v=5.00&m=Copper-nickel&a=2004&t=38.74&dg=&w=&g=&f=&c=&co=y&cno=y&cc=y&cn=y&cj=y&ce=y&cu=y&cat=y

I would like to know if anyone here knows why the RAM also issued Bi-metallic 28.12mm $5 coins? They released 5 different ones which actually commemorated the same things that the 38.74mm coins also commemorated (although the 38.74mm ones were proof). They released them in 1994, 1996/1997, 1998, 2000 and the last one in 2002. Since then only 38.74mm ones have been released. There are plenty of them available on flea bay etc at fairly cheap prices. They don't seem to be that popular.

You can see them here ....
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/index.php?mode=avance&p=1&r=&e=australie&d=&ca=3&no=&i=&v=5.00&m=Aluminium-bronze&a=&t=28.12&dg=&w=&g=&f=&c=&co=y&cno=y&cc=y&cn=y&cj=y&ce=y&cu=y&cat=y

It seems that the RAM has given up on them since 2002.

Of course there are many more Silver and Gold bullion $5 coins issued mostly by the Perth Mint.

So does anyone know why the RAM did the $5 coin in two different versions and sizes?

Regards Mike

[Nevol]

Beats me.  I wasn't even aware that most of them existed.  :dontknow:

I hope someone else can give you some answers. :angel:

[Hercules]

Most of what the mint does is illogical, so I doubt you'll get a definitive answer. Because the $5 coin doesn't circulate, it hasn't been standardised yet, so they're probably just experimenting with different metal compositions. Eventually, they'll replace the $5 note with a $5 coin, and then you won't see these sorts of random fluctuations, because they would make life hell for banks, casinos and vending machine users. :winkextra:

[brismike]

You are probably right Hercules ... Even the 38.74mm ones are done in two different thicknesses and hence different weights. The thicker ones are 28 grams and the thinner ones are 20 grams.

Mike

[ausjack]

Gee Mike you've done well with the collecting and getting it onto numista :good: So are you going to collect the $5 triangle coins?

[Hercules]

I'd love to see how the triangular $5 coins would go in general circulation. I reckon they'd make the new $5 note compatibility issues look like a storm in a teacup.

[brismike]

Gee Mike you've done well with the collecting and getting it onto numista :good: So are you going to collect the $5 triangle coins?

Err .. No thanks, I only like coins that actually look like coins. They are definitely Grannybait.

Mike

[ausjack]

Yeah I know but I thought while your on the $5 coins you might have been into them as well

[Mister T]

The $5 isn't the only commemorative only denomination to have been issued with different specifications I think. Probably just at the whim of the mint's marketing department.