Product Description
Specifications
1993 Masterpieces in Silver – The Explorers Part I Silver 5 Coin Proof Set
Product Overview
Discover the people and journeys that shaped Australia's history with the 1993 Masterpieces in Silver – The Explorers Part I Proof Coin Set. Produced by the Royal Australian Mint, this five-coin sterling silver collection celebrates Aboriginal exploration and the achievements of European explorers who contributed to the mapping and understanding of the Australian continent.
Featuring Aboriginal Exploration, Abel Tasman, Captain James Cook, Matthew Flinders, and Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth, the collection presents five important chapters in Australia's exploration history. Each $5 coin is struck in 92.5% sterling silver with a proof finish, combining historical portraiture with detailed commemorative designs.
With an authorised mintage of 20,000 sets, the collection contains five coins weighing 35.79g each, providing a combined 178.95g of sterling silver and approximately 165.53g (5.322 troy ounces) of fine silver. Presented in its original case with a Certificate of Authenticity, this set is a distinctive addition to an Australian numismatic collection.
Key Features & Benefits
- Five Silver Proof Coins – A complete 1993 Masterpieces in Silver: The Explorers Part I collection.
- Sterling Silver – Each coin contains 35.79g of .925 silver, equivalent to approximately 33.11g of fine silver.
- 165.53g Fine Silver – Approximately 5.322 troy ounces of pure silver across the five coins.
- Australian Exploration History – Commemorates Aboriginal exploration and significant European expeditions.
- Proof Finish – Features carefully detailed designs with contrasting polished and frosted surfaces.
- Limited Issue – Authorised mintage of 20,000 sets.
- Original Presentation – Supplied in a presentation case with Certificate of Authenticity.
Design & Craftsmanship
The five coins explore different periods of Australian history, recognising both the longstanding knowledge of Aboriginal peoples and the expeditions of European navigators and inland explorers.
Aboriginal Exploration
Recognises the First Peoples of Australia and their deep knowledge of the continent, developed across tens of thousands of years. The design depicts an Aboriginal figure carrying a spear against a map of Australia, acknowledging the importance of Indigenous exploration and connection to Country long before European arrival.
Abel Tasman
Commemorates the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman, whose 1642 voyage brought him to the island later named Tasmania. His explorations contributed to early European knowledge of the southern oceans and the Australian region.
Captain James Cook
Honours Captain James Cook, whose 1770 voyage aboard HMS Endeavour charted Australia's eastern coastline. The commemorative design recognises his contribution to European maritime exploration and mapping of the Pacific.
Matthew Flinders
Celebrates Matthew Flinders, the British navigator who led the first recorded circumnavigation of Australia between 1801 and 1803. His detailed charts made an important contribution to maritime navigation, and he championed the name Australia for the continent.
Blaxland, Lawson & Wentworth
Commemorates Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Charles Wentworth, whose 1813 expedition across the Blue Mountains established a route that enabled further colonial expansion west of Sydney. Their journey became an important milestone in the history of European settlement in New South Wales.
The obverse of each coin features Queen Elizabeth II's portrait by Raphael Maklouf, while the individual reverse designs commemorate the explorers and historical themes. Together, the five coins form the first part of a two-year exploration series, continued by the Royal Australian Mint in 1994.
Authentication & Specifications
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Country: Australia
Year: 1993
Series: Masterpieces in Silver – The Explorers Part I
Metal: Silver
Purity: 92.5% / .925 Sterling Silver
Number of Coins: 5
Individual Coin Weight: 35.79g
Total Gross Weight: 178.95g
Total Fine Silver Content: Approximately 165.53g / 5.322 Troy Oz
Finish: Proof
Denomination: AUD $5 per Coin
Total Face Value: AUD $25
Diameter: Approximately 38.9mm per Coin
Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II
Obverse Designer: Raphael Maklouf
Edge: Reeded
Authorised Mintage: 20,000 Sets
Packaging: Original Presentation Case
Certificate of Authenticity: Included
Packaging & Availability
The 1993 Masterpieces in Silver – The Explorers Part I Proof Set is supplied in its original presentation case with a Certificate of Authenticity.
As a collectible set issued in 1993, the outer packaging may show signs of age, including minor wear, scuffing or deterioration of the presentation materials. These characteristics are common among surviving examples of older Royal Australian Mint proof sets.
Availability is subject to stock.
Discover More
Explore our range of silver coins, including Royal Australian Mint proof sets, historic commemoratives and collectible Australian silver releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the 1993 Masterpieces in Silver Explorers collection?
The set recognises important chapters in Australia's exploration history, beginning with Aboriginal knowledge of the continent and continuing through European maritime and inland expeditions. It brings together five historical themes in a single sterling silver proof collection.
Why is this collection called The Explorers Part I?
The Royal Australian Mint issued The Explorers collection across two consecutive years. Part I was released in 1993, followed by Part II in 1994, with each set featuring five different commemorative silver proof coins.
Why does the collection include an Aboriginal Exploration coin?
Aboriginal peoples explored, inhabited and developed detailed knowledge of Australia's landscapes for tens of thousands of years before European arrival. Including Aboriginal Exploration acknowledges this much longer history and provides important context for the later expeditions commemorated in the set.
What makes the Masterpieces in Silver series appealing to collectors?
The Royal Australian Mint's Masterpieces in Silver series combines proof-quality coinage with themes drawn from Australian history, culture and national identity. Its changing subjects, limited issues and original presentation packaging make the series particularly interesting for collectors of Australian commemorative coins.
Condition Note: This is a vintage collectible proof set. The coins, presentation case and outer packaging may show signs of age or storage, including toning, minor marks, scuffing or deterioration of packaging materials. Please refer to the product images for the condition of the set offered.