Australian gold coins of the “Kangaroo” series have been minted since 1989. Initially, this series was called “Australian Nugget”, which translates as “Australian Nugget”. Later, it was transformed into a series of “Australian Kangaroo”, which is released every year in the main six denominations, changing the design of the reverse. This series of coins is primarily an investment. At the same time, it is very interesting for numismatists-collectors because of the small circulation, unique design and high cost.
Australian gold coins of the “Kangaroo” series
2 dollar denomination
- Year of minting: 2017
- Weight: 0.5 g
15 dollar denomination
- Year of minting: 2015
- Weight: 3.1103 g
- Diameter: 16.6 mm
- Thickness: 1.5 mm
25 dollar denomination
- Weight: 3.1103 g
- Diameter: 16.6 mm
- Thickness: 1.5 mm
25 dollar denomination
- Year of minting: 2018
- Weight: 7.7758 g
- Diameter: 20.6 mm
- Thickness: 2 mm
50 dollar denomination
- Year of minting: 2014
- Weight: 15.5518 g
- Diameter: 25.6 g
- Thickness: 2.4 mm
- Year of minting: 2017
- Weight: 15.5518 g
- Diameter: 25.6 mm
- Thickness: 2.4 mm
100 dollar denomination
Interesting fact: In 2014 there was issued a commemorative gold coin of 100 Australian dollars, which was dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the issue of coins with the kangaroo image.
What this series of coins was made for
A series of gold coins “Australian Kangaroo” became a logical extension of the series “Australian Nugget”, which also depicted the kangaroo, one of the symbols of Australia, on the reverse of all issued coins. All coins of this series are made of gold of the highest fineness (999.9), which makes them attractive as an investment of your money, as the price of gold on the world market not only remains stable but also tends to increase slightly. In addition, such coin can be a wonderful memorable gift from Australia, which also affects the market demand. That is why the Australian Mint has been minting this series for the second decade already.
Creation of the design
It is quite fascinating to track the design of coins of the series “Australian Kangaroo”. Sketches for them are developed by Perth mint engraver Ian Rank-Bradley, who finds unique motives for coins for every year of issue. The photo shows a number of coins of this series from 2011 to 2015, where you can track see distinctive common details of the reverse of coins and the differences between the main images. The obverse of the coin is traditionally decorated with a portrait of the British Queen Elizabeth II, since Australia had been a British colony for a long time.
The packaging of these coins deserves particular attention. Coins can be purchased individually in plastic capsules, or you can buy a wholesale party in a plastic sealed package of 20 or 100 pieces.
Also, it is possible to purchase sets of coins of all basic denominations of one year of issue, packed in plastic capsules placed in a wooden box.
What types of coins are in the circulation
The main and most popular gold coins of the series “Australian Kangaroo” are:
- 15 Australian dollars – 1/10 ounce of 999.9 fine gold;
- 25 Australian dollars – 1/4 ounce of 999.9 fine gold;
- 50 Australian dollars – 1/2 ounce of 999.9 fine gold;
- 100 Australian dollars – 1 ounce of 999.9 fine gold.
All coins of basic denominations can serve as means of payment, but only in Australia. Rarer are the face values of 2 and 5 Australian dollars. For example, 2 gold dollars of this series were issued from 2010 to 2017 in small circulations, not exceeding 16,000 copies, and the coin of 2015 was issued with a circulation of only 8,500 copies. The coin of 5 dollar face value weighs 1.571 g, has a diameter of 14.1 mm and a thickness of 1.3 mm.
It is worth noting coins of high denominations:
- 500 Australian dollars – 2 troy ounces of 999.9 fine gold or 62.2 g with a pink diamond of 0.037 carats
Interesting fact: The coin of the Australian Kangaroo series of 500 Australian dollar denomination was issued in 2017 in a small circulation of only 300 copies with numbered certificates confirming authenticity. Its diameter is 40.1 mm, and the thickness of the edge is 3.9 mm. The real value of this coin on the market reaches 8,180 Australian dollars.
- 1,000 (1991) and 2,500 (1992) Australian dollars -10 ounces of 999.9 fine gold;
- 3,000 (1992) and 10,000 (1991) Australian dollars -1 kilogram of 999.9 fine gold;
- 30,000 (1991-1992) Australian dollars -10 kilograms of gold 999.9 fine gold.
Interesting fact: The coin of the series “Australian Kangaroo” of 1,000,000 Australian dollars has a real value of about 55,000,000 dollars. Its weight is 1,012 kg, and the diameter is 800 mm. This is one of the largest investment coins in the world.
Which mint issues
The Mint in Perth begins its history at the end of the 19th century. Back at that time in Australia, there were two more mints in Sydney and Melbourne, but nowadays there is only one – Perth. The prerequisite for their creation was rich deposits of gold and mines, which were created around them. The mint in Perth was opened in 1896 by the well-known statesman of Australia, John Forrest, but in fact, this mint was a branch of the Royal Mint in London. Today, the mint in Perth is subordinated to the Australian state bank and mints coins and series of investment coins for internal circulation.
The cost of coins of this series
The value of coins of the Australian Kangaroo series primarily depends on gold of high fineness and its price on world stock exchanges of precious metals in London, Shanghai, and New York. That is why the cost of each coin in this series is several times greater than its nominal value. For example, we give the approximate cost of gold coins of the Australian series “Kangaroo”, issued in different years, which can be purchased at the numismatic exchanges:
- 1/10 ounce – 148 AUD;
- 1/4 ounce– 358 AUD;
- 1/2 ounce– 544-691 AUD;
- 1 ounce– 1,334 AUD.
The price can also be affected by the rarity of the coin, the number of copies and its condition on the day of purchase/sale.
Interesting facts
On the obverse of all coins of the series «Australian Kangaroo», as well as in the previous series «Australian Nugget», the profile of Queen Elizabeth II is depicted. She has led the British monarchy since 1952. Australia, as a former colony of Great Britain, is a part of the Commonwealth of States, but in 1999, at the national referendum, the Queen was elected to remain the head of the country, while remaining just a symbolic figure.
You can track the price of 1 troy ounce of gold on world exchanges by the cost of the coins of the Australian Kangaroo series because gold of the highest fineness is used for its minting.
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