Perth Mint Gold Kangaroo Coins
The Gold Kangaroo coin actually has its roots in a coin known as the Australian Gold Nugget. First released in 1987, these gold coins featured the image of a gold nugget on the reverse side. In 1989, this coin’s reverse design was altered to represent the continent’s beloved kangaroo. Following adoption of the kangaroo motif on this coin program, the Perth Mint began following another popular rule used in its other bullion coin programs: rotating designs.
Each year, the Perth Mint releases a gold bullion Australian Kangaroo coin in .9999 pure gold with an all-new design on the reverse side of the coin. The motif always remains the same, capturing the kangaroo in its natural habitat. However, the specific design changes from year to year, with different artists and Perth Mint engravers contributing to the design sets used on the coins.
2017 Australian Gold Kangaroos
Australian Gold Kangaroo coins are much like the Kookaburra and Koala releases that are immensely popular in silver and gold. There is a new design used on the reverse side of the coin each year, while the obverse features the right-profile image of Queen Elizabeth II with each new release. This year’s scheduled release of Australian Gold Kangaroo coins includes the following weights and features:
- 1/10 oz
- Ships to you in a protective plastic capsule or mint tubes of 20.
- Limited mintage of only 200,000 coins.
- Issued a face value of $15 (AUD) by the Australian government.
- ¼ oz
- Ships in a plastic capsule to protect individual coins or in mint tubes containing 20 coins.
- Limited mintage of only 150,000 coins.
- Bears a face value of $25 (AUD) backed by the federal government of Australia.
- ½ oz
- Ships to you in a protective plastic capsule or tube of 20 coins.
- Limited mintage of only 100,000 coins.
- Face value of $50 (AUD) is fully backed by Australia’s government.
- 1 oz
- Ships to you an individual protective plastic capsule or sealed box of 100 coins.
- Unlimited mintage to meet demand!
- Issued a face value of $100 (AUD) by the Australian government.
Design of the 2017 Australian Gold Kangaroo
As with other Perth Mint animal-themed coins, the reverse side of these coins changes on a yearly basis. The reverse always features the same motif, that of the kangaroo in the Outback, but the specific features are added to keep collectors on their toes with each new release of the Australian Gold Kangaroo.
The reverse of the 2017 Australian Gold Kangaroo Coin includes the image of a kangaroo as it hops along the Outback. Kangaroos have a unique motion, but their movement is flawed in some ways. For example, kangaroos are not capable of moving backward with any degree of ease.
On the obverse of each coin you’ll find the image of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty’s effigy is featured on the obverse of Australian coinage each year, with a right-profile design preferred in those portraits. The design used on these coins comes from Ian Rank-Broadley, and was created in 1998.
Background on Perth Mint
The Perth Mint is perhaps the most interesting facility on this list, due in no small part to the fact that it sits at the intersection of private and sovereign minting responsibilities. When Australia was a British territory, the British crown decided it was necessary to open Royal Mint facilities on the continent to cope with the influx of gold from Western Australia. When the Sydney Mint opened in the 1850s, it was the first Royal Mint facility ever opened outside the United Kingdom.
Founded in 1899, the Perth Mint is now Australia’s oldest operating mint facility. It was originally part of the Royal Mint system and opened following the Sydney Mint and Melbourne Mint. However, following federation in Australia in 1901, the Perth Mint would spend a period of time acting as the official sovereign mint of Australia until the Currency Act of 1964 established the Royal Australian Mint.
Today, the Perth Mint exists in a unique position. As of July 1970, the Perth Mint passed from British possession to the state government of Western Australia. Its silver and gold coins are considered legal tender under that same currency act, however it is the responsibility of the Royal Australian Mint to produce circulation coins for the nation.
Buy from JM Bullion!
The 2017 Australian Gold Kangaroo coin is available today from JM Bullion. If you’re interested in adding this beautiful annual-release coin to your portfolio, these bullion coins are available in our online catalog now. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. JM Bullion customer service is available at 800-276-6508, online using our live web chat, and via our email address.