Ever Changing – The Incredible Australian Gold Kangaroo Coin
The Australian Kangaroos or Gold Nuggets, as they were originally called, are gold bullion coins which are minted by the Perth Mint. The Gold Nugget series began production in 1986 and was introduced by the Gold Corporation, which is a company owned by the government of Western Australia. These coins are of 99.99% or 24-karat fine gold and come in five troy ounce sizes: 1/20 ounce, 1/10 ounce, ¼ ounce, ½ ounce and 1 ounce. These Gold Nuggets are legal tender in Australia and have the face values of $5, $15, $25, $50 and $100.
From 1986 the reverse side of the coins featured a variety of gold nuggets, which are found in Australia. However, to those not residing in Australia, the nuggets appeared to be lumps of soil or meteorites. In 1989 the design was changed to display the kangaroo, the National Animal of Australia, something the world distinguished as Australia’s symbol. This design is changed every year to show a different portrait of their beloved marsupial. The Chinese Gold Panda is another of the world’s gold bullion coins that changes their design yearly. On the arc of the Gold Kangaroo is “The Australian Nugget”, the ounces, the purity of the gold and the date.
The obverse of this delightful coin features the beautiful effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, denoting that it is legal tender. Her profile was designed by Ian Rank Broadley. Around the arc of the coin it has “Elizabeth II”, “Australia” and the denomination. The Perth Mint takes great care in the production of these coins, creating a lovely, two-tone, frosted design, with a lighter white gold for the base color and a darker gold frosted over the top. There are also proof-like, highly reflective, raised features to give these Australian Nuggets a characteristic one-of-a-kind look.
In 1987 the Perth Mint released a one ounce Gold Nugget coin that shows, on the reverse, an image of the largest gold nugget ever found. The “Welcome Stranger” nugget was 2,284 ounces, found in Western Australia in 1869. In 1991 Australia introduced some of the largest gold coins ever minted: the 2 ounce, 10 ounce and 1 kilogram. On the reverse of these coins, is the design of the red kangaroo, but this design does not change from year to year. These particular larger sizes are also produced in silver and platinum versions.
To protect these exceptional coins, they are issued in individual, protective plastic cases by the Perth Mint. Smaller sizes, like the 1/10 ounce and 1/20 ounce, are shrink wrapped with twenty coins together. These cases do a wonderful job in keeping the Gold Kangaroos from being damaged or scratched. The meticulous care taken by the Perth Mint, the brilliant and unique finish and the spectacular, eye-catching designs, make the Gold Nugget “Kangaroo” coins greatly desired worldwide. You can buy these exquisite gold coins at GovMint.com for Gold! Click here!
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