The work of Castlemaine photographer Gary Chapman has just become a niche collector’s item, worth its weight in gold after it was selected to feature on a new limited edition coin.
One of the images captured by the long-time local photographer has just been used on gold and silver limited edition commemorative coins produced by the Perth Mint.
“We finally got a silver one in our hot little hands and I’m pretty chuffed,” Mr Chapman told the Express.
The image that he captured while visiting NSW’s Mungo National Park way back in 2013 features two emus and has now become part of the mint’s ongoing wildlife series of limited edition collectible coins.
“I particularly remember this day,” the local photographer said of the moment he captured the image.
“I was waiting for a tour to start and watching emus. One knelt down to drink and I don’t know if you’ve ever seen an emu kneel to drink, but their legs bend backwards. It was a really quirky shot.”
He said the reproduction of the image on the collectible gold and silver one ounce (31 gram) coins had been “a slow burn” process that involved the image first being purchased by Austockphoto with the Perth Mint then obtaining the rights to reproduce the image in quantity.
But it’s a limited quantity – with just 2500 of the silver proof and 5000 of the gold bullion coins produced – and by all accounts they’re being snapped up fast.
“The silver coin cost $105 to buy but it’s $1 dollar legal tender, and the gold coin is worth $2700 to buy and it’s $100 legal tender,” Mr Chapman said.
To collectors and over time they’re potentially going to be worth much more and Mr Chapman admits that having his work preserved for posterity in such a manner is a bit of a professional coup.
“It’s brilliant. Not many photographers get to have that sort of honour,” laughed the local photographer who’s well known through his shopfront in Castlemaine’s Mostyn Street.
“I’d love people to come in and see it.”
