1997  One Ounce Silver $1 Kookaburra & Chick - Oldsmobile Privy

Obverse:	Queen Elizabeth II - Design by Raphael Maklouf. Legend: ELIZABETH. II. AUSTRALIA 1 DOLLAR
Reverse:	Kookaburra & Chick - Design by Jovan Radanovich. Legend: THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA 1 OZ. .999 SILVER - 1997
Edge:	Reeded - continuous mill - 250 Serrations.
Weight:	31.635 grams.
Size:	40.60 mm (diameter) 4.00 mm (thickness).
Composition:	.999 Fine Silver.
Silver Content:	1.00 oz.
Mintage:	Perth - Limit: 2,500.
Mintmarks:	Oldsmobile Privy Mark on Reverse.

Valuation :
1997 One Ounce Silver $1 - Kookaburra & Chick - Oldsmobile Privy

Notes: The 1997 one ounce Oldsmobile Privy Kookaburra & Chick $1 silver coin was distributed, encapsulated, in a black leatherette, hinged-lid presentation case and accompanied by a numbered certificate. The coin was released by the Perth Mint to commemmorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Ransom E Olds' Motor Vehicle company. The privy mark features the company's famous Curved Dash Oldsmobile.

Ransom E Olds (1864 - 1950) was born in Geneva, Ohio. In 1880, his family moved to Lansing, Michigan, where his father and older brother formed P.E. Olds & Son to build and repair machinery and engines. Ransom had a natural mechanical aptitude and worked as a machinist for the company. A few years later, he bought out his brother's share of the company and became a partner. In 1887, he built his first car, a three-wheeled carriage with a one-horsepower Olds steam engine. He built a second steam car in 1892 and by driving the car around town, he attracted the interest of the business community.

The first automobile company in Michigan, the Olds Motor Vehicle Company, was incorporated in 1897. In that year, four Oldsmobiles were produced. In 1899, after incorporating with the Olds Gasoline Engine Works to become the Olds Motor Works, the company moved to Detroit. A new factory was built - the first in the United States designed specifically for automobile manufacture. Ransom wanted to build a 'small low-cost vehicle' and his concept became the Curved Dash Oldsmobile. It was decided to concentrate on production of this now famous vehicle.

Then, in February, 1901, the factory was engulfed by fire, which almost totally destroyed the building and most of the equipment. An employee managed to save plans and an early version of the car from the burning factory. The factory was quickly rebuilt and production of the Curved Dash Oldsmobile resumed.

Ransom retired from the Olds Motor Works in 1904 and in 1908, the company was purchased and became part of General Motors. Today the company produces over 300,000 cars per year.

Source: Certificate of Authenticity accompanying the 1997 1 ounce Oldsmobile Privy marked Kookaburra Silver Dollar coin.

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