Perth Mint Coins — Gold, Silver & Lunar Series Guide
Est. 1899 · Western Australia • Gold Kangaroo • Lunar Series • Silver Kookaburra • Special Issues
Origins of The Perth Mint
The Perth Mint opened its doors in 1899 at the height of Western Australia's gold rush, created by the British Royal Mint to refine the region's abundant gold. Designed to serve prospectors, miners, and local businesses, it quickly became a cornerstone of the colony's growing economy. As waves of settlers and entrepreneurs arrived in search of opportunity, the need for a reliable refining institution cemented the Perth Mint as a vital force in Australia's emerging gold industry.
Over the decades, the Perth Mint has built a global reputation for precision and craftsmanship, producing investment-grade gold, silver, and platinum coins and bars. Its bullion and collectible issues are prized by investors and numismatists worldwide, supported by a long history of refining millions of ounces of precious metals. Still owned by the Government of Western Australia, the Mint continues to modernize its processes while honoring its 125-year heritage. In 2011, the Perth Mint created the world's largest gold coin — weighing over 2,200 pounds with a metal value exceeding $53 million at the time of production — underscoring its standing at the forefront of global bullion innovation.
Lunar Series — Chinese Zodiac Annual Coins
🐉 Lunar Series I (1996–2007)
The original Lunar Series ran for one complete 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. First-series coins (Rat through Pig, 1996–2007) had lower original mintages than later series and command the strongest secondary market premiums. The 1996 Mouse and 2000 Dragon are particularly sought after.
🐯 Lunar Series II (2008–2019)
The second zodiac cycle with updated designs and higher mintages. Series II coins are more accessible than Series I but maintain strong collector demand, especially for the Tiger (2010) and Dragon (2012). Gold versions at multiple weights are popular with investors.
🐭 Lunar Series III (2020–present)
The ongoing third series with modern high-relief designs. Series III coins feature enhanced artistic detail and expanded weight options. The 2024 Dragon was among the most popular releases of its year globally. Color variants and proof editions command premiums over standard bullion.
🥇 Lunar Gold Issues
Each Lunar year is produced in .9999 fine gold at multiple weights: 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz, and 1 kg. The 1 oz gold Lunar coins are particularly liquid and widely traded. Series I gold in high grades commands the strongest premiums over spot.
🔆 Lunar Kilo Silver
The 1 kilogram silver Lunar coin is a showpiece — large enough for spectacular design detail at an impressive physical scale. Annual design changes mean each year's kilo is distinct. Strong demand from both bullion stackers and display collectors drives healthy secondary market liquidity.
✨ Lunar Proof & Coloured Editions
Proof-struck Lunar coins with mirror fields and frosted devices come with certificates of authenticity and display boxes. Coloured editions — with hand-applied or printed colour overlays — are popular with gift buyers and display collectors and maintain strong premiums over standard bullion strikes.
Gold Bullion — The Australian Gold Kangaroo
Gold Kangaroo 1 oz
Australia's flagship .9999 fine gold bullion coin. Produced annually since 1986 (originally called the "Gold Nugget"), the reverse design changes each year featuring a different kangaroo. Legal tender face value of $100 AUD. Among the most liquid gold coins globally — recognized and traded worldwide.
Gold Kangaroo Fractional (1/10, 1/4, 1/2 oz)
Fractional Gold Kangaroos provide accessible entry points for gold investors. The 1/10 oz is especially popular as a gifting coin and starter investment. All fractional sizes carry the same .9999 purity guarantee and annual changing design as the 1 oz version.
Gold Kangaroo 1 kg
The 1 kilogram (32.15 troy oz) .9999 fine gold Kangaroo is a trophy investment piece. Face value $3,000 AUD. Institutional-grade gold at the highest purity standard. The annual design change makes each year's kilo a distinct collector item beyond pure bullion value.
Gold Proof Kangaroo
Proof-struck Kangaroos feature mirror-like fields and frosted devices with dramatically more detail than standard bullion strikes. Strictly limited mintages with certificates of authenticity and presentation boxes. Both 1 oz and fractional proof Kangaroos are produced annually for collectors.
Australian Gold Nugget (Pre-1990)
Before the kangaroo replaced the design in 1990, early issues featured gold nugget imagery — hence the original "Gold Nugget" series name. These first-generation issues from 1986–1989 carry numismatic premiums over later Kangaroo coins and are collected as the founding pieces of the series.
Perth Mint Gold Bars
The Perth Mint produces .9999 fine gold minted bars in sizes from 1 gram to 400 oz, each with an assay certificate and security features. Compact and stackable, Perth Mint bars carry strong global recognition and typically trade at modest premiums over spot — popular with institutional and private investors.
Silver Bullion — Kookaburra, Koala & Swan
Silver Kookaburra 1 oz
Issued annually since 1990 with a new kookaburra design each year — one of the longest-running silver bullion series in the world. .999 fine silver. Early 1990s issues with lower original mintages command the strongest collector premiums. A cornerstone of any Perth Mint collection.
Silver Kookaburra 1 kg
The 1 kilogram .999 silver Kookaburra offers spectacular design impact on a massive canvas. Annual changing designs make each year collectible beyond spot value. The kilo format is popular with both investors seeking larger silver holdings and collectors who appreciate the visual scale.
Silver Koala 1 oz
Annual changing koala designs since 2007. The beloved subject matter — Australia's iconic marsupial — drives strong demand from gift buyers and casual collectors. Early series years (2007–2010) with lower mintages carry meaningful premiums over more recent issues in the same grade.
Silver Kangaroo 1 oz
Perth Mint's premier silver bullion coin at .9999 fine — among the purest silver bullion coins in the world. The Silver Kangaroo was introduced in 2016 and quickly gained traction as a high-purity alternative to the Kookaburra. Consistent design makes it popular with stackers seeking uniformity.
Silver Swan 1 oz
Launched in 2017 featuring Western Australia's iconic black swan. The Swan series has lower annual mintages than the Kookaburra and Koala, making early issues particularly desirable for date collectors. The elegant bird design appeals strongly to European and Asian collector markets.
Silver Proof & High Relief Issues
Perth Mint proof silver coins feature mirror fields and frosted devices produced by multi-strike techniques not used in standard bullion. High-relief coins use specialized dies to create three-dimensional designs that surpass anything achievable in standard production. Both categories come with certificates and display packaging.
Shop Perth Mint Coins on eBay
Gold Kangaroos, Lunar Series, Silver Kookaburras, and special proof issues — new and pre-owned from trusted bullion dealers and private sellers worldwide.
Perth Mint Coin Books on AmazonAffiliate links — FindRareCoins.com may earn a commission when you purchase through links on this site.
Fascinating Facts About the Perth Mint
- Home to the World's Largest Gold Coin: In 2011, the Mint produced a 1-tonne .9999 fine gold coin — 80 cm wide and 12 cm thick — with a metal value exceeding $53 million at the time of production. It remains one of the most iconic bullion creations ever struck.
- A Refinery with Global Reach: The Perth Mint refines more than 90% of Australia's gold output and is one of the world's largest LBMA-accredited refineries, serving clients across Asia, Europe, and North America.
- Innovators in Bullion Design: The Mint pioneered annually changing reverse designs in bullion series such as the Kookaburra, Koala, and Lunar programs — now a global standard widely adopted by other mints.
- Government-Owned and Highly Secure: Operated by the Government of Western Australia, the Mint maintains some of the strictest security protocols in the Southern Hemisphere to safeguard its vast precious-metal holdings.
- Live Gold Pour Experience: Visitors can witness molten gold being poured into a solid bar — one of the only public gold-pour demonstrations offered anywhere in the world.
- Over $6 Billion in Precious Metals Stored: The Mint's high-security depository stores gold, silver, and platinum for individuals, institutions, and sovereign clients worldwide.
- Global Coin Production: Beyond Australia, the Perth Mint strikes legal-tender coins for Tuvalu, Niue, and the Cook Islands, expanding its reach across the Pacific.
- Record-Breaking Gold Output: The Mint has refined more than 6,500 tonnes of gold since opening in 1899 — a significant portion of the world's total mined gold output over that period.
Where to Buy Perth Mint Coins
eBay — Perth Mint Gold & Silver
The largest secondary market for Perth Mint coins. Gold Kangaroos, Lunar Series, and Silver Kookaburras from trusted bullion dealers and private sellers worldwide.
Shop on eBay →JM Bullion
One of the largest US bullion dealers — competitive pricing on Perth Mint Gold Kangaroos and Silver Kookaburras with insured, fast shipping.
Shop JM Bullion →Kitco
World-renowned precious metals dealer with live pricing, transparent premiums, and a strong inventory of Perth Mint gold and silver bullion coins and bars.
Shop Kitco →Money Metals Exchange
Competitive premiums on Perth Mint gold and silver with a straightforward buying experience. Highly rated for transparency and customer service.
Shop Money Metals →eBay — Perth Mint Lunar Series
Filtered for Lunar Series I, II, and III — silver and gold issues across all 12 zodiac animals. Key early series dates and kilo coins from specialist dealers.
Shop Lunar Series →Amazon — Coin Storage & Supplies
Coin capsules, albums, and storage solutions for Perth Mint coins. Proper storage preserves condition and resale value — especially important for proof and high-relief issues.
Browse Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Perth Mint?
The Perth Mint is a government-owned precious metals enterprise in Perth, Western Australia, established in 1899 during the Western Australian Gold Rush. It is one of the world's premier mints, producing investment-grade gold, silver, and platinum coins and bars as well as highly collectible numismatic pieces. The Mint operates an LBMA-accredited refinery, a secure bullion depository, and produces legal-tender coins for Australia and several Pacific island nations. It is distinct from the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra, which produces Australia's circulating coinage.
What is the difference between Perth Mint Lunar Series I, II, and III?
The three series each represent one complete 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. Lunar Series I (1996–2007) had the lowest original mintages and carries the highest secondary market premiums. Lunar Series II (2008–2019) has higher mintages and more accessible pricing. Lunar Series III (2020–2031) is the ongoing series with updated designs and expanded weight options. Generally, first-series coins are worth significantly more than equivalent coins from later series in the same zodiac animal year, due to lower original production.
Is the Perth Mint Gold Kangaroo a good investment?
The Gold Kangaroo is one of the most liquid .9999 fine gold coins in the world and is widely recognized by dealers and refiners globally. It typically trades at a modest premium above the spot gold price — similar to other major world gold bullion coins like the Canadian Maple Leaf, South African Krugerrand, and American Gold Eagle. The annual changing design adds modest numismatic appeal but the coin's primary value follows gold prices. We always recommend consulting a financial advisor before making investment decisions — this page is for educational purposes only.
Which Perth Mint silver coins have the highest collector premiums?
Early Silver Kookaburra coins from the 1990s — particularly the first-year 1990 issue and low-mintage mid-1990s dates — carry the strongest collector premiums in the silver series. First-year Silver Swan coins (2017) have also developed meaningful premiums. The 1 kilogram silver coins in any series tend to hold value well due to strong demand from display collectors. Proof and coloured editions across all series carry premiums over standard bullion, especially when complete with original packaging and certificates.
Where can I verify the authenticity of a Perth Mint coin?
Perth Mint coins have several built-in security features including edge inscriptions, micro-text, and unique design elements. For coins purchased on the secondary market, the Perth Mint offers an authentication service. PCGS and NGC both certify Perth Mint coins and their slabs provide reliable third-party authentication. For high-value pieces — particularly older Lunar Series I coins or proof sets — third-party certification is worth the cost, as some counterfeits do circulate in the secondary market.
Does the Perth Mint offer a depository service?
Yes — the Perth Mint operates one of the world's most respected precious metals depositories, offering allocated and unallocated storage for gold, silver, and platinum. Clients can store physical metals in high-security vaults with full insurance coverage. The facility stores billions of dollars in precious metals for private individuals, institutional investors, and sovereign clients. The depository is backed by the Government of Western Australia, providing an additional layer of financial security.
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