^^^ alor - you make a point there. But the image is static, lifeless, and devoid of imagination, imo. There is no love of the subject - no verve, no zing.
im holding off on judging. 2012 i remember talking of it being and an angry kook. i have high hopes for this one.
[img=FluxBB bbcode test]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EP35-Xwarjg/SNDo65hbZWI/AAAAAAAAAFE/CNIFT69VqwA/s400/Kookaburra+sketches72.jpg[/img]
One of these angry birds again...? I've only seen an image of the new one in another forum ( http://www.silber.de/forum/userpix/1645_kookaburra_2013_1kg_silber_1.jpg ) but think it's not the best photo, so won't judge it based on this...
I like the design! What I'm disappointed about is that the 2oz Bullion Kook is missing from the 2013 bullion program. 2013 Silver Kookaburra Bullion Coins The design for the 2013 Silver Kookaburra (1kg, 10oz, 2oz and 1oz) bullion coins features a representation of two kookaburras perched on a tree branch, superimposed on flowers, and includes the inscriptions 'AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA', '2013' along with the weight of the coin and '999 SILVER' http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2011L00874/Explanatory Statement/Text There's been some criticism but, the design is of 2 juvenile / baby Kookaburras not the standard mature Kook. Here's an image of two very young kookaburras, I think you'll agree that once people realise that the Kooks are babies they'll appreciate the art work by Natasha Muhl.
Nope still cartoonish, bet they did that because it is cheaper to produce a coin with little detail. 2012 was the last kookaburra in the series... new series 2013 Pineapple
Interesting little blog on the kooks including photos and vids http://www.squidoo.com/australian-kookaburra-silver-coins
I think the difference between the early kooks and these modern ones is essentially the difference between an artistic realisation and a skilled graphic design. And yes, I suspect thatguy's comment about cost is likely a lot of the reason behind it.
The feedback we've had is overwhelmingly positive, especially from those that have seen the new coin in the flesh. The outstanding relief and texturing contribute to a really original new approach. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDLN_BC6VpA[/youtube] Obviously beauty is in the eye of the beholder and we can't please everyone all the time, but with 90,000 1oz coins sold just days after launch, we're extremely pleased by the overall reaction. Perhaps the vocal minority who are so critical here would like to submit their design ideas to us? It's a genuine challenge if you're up to it. Send us a concept prepared to a similar standard as this and if our new product development team thinks it's good enough we'll honour the design on a forthcoming coin. (no fee, just for the LOVE of the subject!) 2013 Silver Kookaburra Design [img=2013 Kookaburra]http://blog.perthmint.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/2013_Silver-Kookaburra.jpg[/img] Ron Currie
I have not laid eyes on the 2013 Kooka as yet in the flesh and have withheld from making judgement thus far, but usually i find when you see a coin and hold it in your hand it can look a lot different then looking at a picture of it.
I'm not a visual artist but the guys who depicted the early Kooks obviously were. Plus the engravers who took the original image and scraped it into metal were no slouches either. So who were they and why did the Mint 'move on' from them I wonder. I bought seven 1990 Kooks here and on ebay in the last week for ~$60 each. As well as being the first, that coin has a kind of mystery - "a modern classic" one ebay seller called it, and I agree and it's not even my favourite. I still have the view that the current Kooks could have easily been pulled from picture books or photos and rerendered by the designers. It's like someone want to make a pattern for a dress or wallpaper and has just used the animal for an graphic idea. Where's the real observation humour and affection for the subject? Not apparent to me. Creation is that, and criticism is just criticism, but hey we're the consumers.
P.S Anyway I think Eureka Moments has already thrown down the gauntlet in this matter. We have our champion. Source:http://forums.silverstackers.com/topic-30549-the-perth-mint-2013-kookaburra-sucks-page-1.html
Your 2014 concept coin does not meet the specifications! :lol: 2014 Silver Kookaburra Bullion Coins The design for the 2014 Silver Kookaburra (1kg, 10oz, 2oz and 1oz) bullion coins features a kookaburra perched on a tree branch, and includes the inscriptions 'AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA', '2014' along with the weight of the coin and '999 SILVER'.
Hate to say it but kooks are snake killers... would've been a good excuse to combine the two without privvy