Description
First produced in 1986, the Australian Gold
Nugget / Kangaroo coin is one of the most popular coins created by the
Perth Mint in Western Australia. Perhaps the most diverse of any
nation's bullion coinage, the Gold Australian Nugget / Kangaroo is
minted in eight different sizes from 1/20th of an ounce all the way up
to 1-kilogram.
Design
The obverse of the coin features a profile view of
the face of Queen Elizabeth II, as designed by Ian Rank Broadley. She
is surrounded by her name, the denomination of the coin, and the word
"AUSTRALIA".
The
design on the reverse originally depicted natural Australian gold
nuggets (example right), with different designs for various sizes. The
design theme changed in 1989 to feature the most recognizable animal in
Australia, the kangaroo (example above). For this reason, the coin is
referred to both as an Australian "Nugget" and "Kangaroo".
The Australian Gold Nugget / Kangaroo is currently the only legal
tender, pure gold bullion coin to change its design each year and limit
its mintage annually. Each size from 1/20th-oz. to 1-oz. receives a new
design each year. New designs are introduced each year to the proof
coins and these designs are then used for striking the bullion coins
the following year.
| 1-oz. Gold Australian Nugget Reverse Designs |
| Proof |
Bullion |
Design |
| 2005* |
|
20th Anniversary Welcome Stranger Nugget w/ Prospectors and Colored Landscape |
| 2004 |
2005 |
Kangaroo - In front of grass tree |
| 2003 |
2004 |
2 Hopping Kangaroos |
| 2002 |
2003 |
Drinking Kangaroos |
| 2001 |
2002 |
2 Kangaroos & Australia |
| 2000 |
2001 |
Kangaroo - in grass |
| 1999 |
2000 |
2 Hopping Kangaroos |
| 1998 |
1999 |
Kangaroo - looking sideways |
| 1997 |
1998 |
2 Kangaroos |
| 1996 |
1997 |
Landing Kangaroo |
| 1995 |
1996 |
Mother Kangaroo & Joey |
| 1994 |
1995 |
Red Kangaroo - looking |
| 1993 |
1994 |
Whiptail Wallaby |
| 1992 |
1993 |
Nailtailed Wallaby |
| 1991 |
1992 |
Common Wallaroo |
| 1990 |
1991 |
Grey Kangaroo |
| 1989 |
1990 |
Red Kanagaroo - jumping |
| 1988 |
|
Pride of Australia (nugget) |
| 1987 |
|
Poseidon (nugget) |
| 1986 |
1987-89 |
Welcome Stranger (largest gold nugget ever found) |
* 2005 will be the final issue in the Proof Gold Nugget / Kangaroo series.
Minting Information
Each coin, from the tiny 1/20th-ounce to the massive 1-kilogram, is
currently composed of 99.99% pure gold. Australian Nugget / Kangaroo
coins enjoy legal tender status courtesy of the Australian Currency Act
1965. This legal tender nature provides additional security to
investors and collectors. The production of the Australian Gold Nugget
/ Kangaroo has proven very beneficial to the nation's mining industry
and the coins continue to be favorites among investors.
Detailed Coin Information |
| Designer: Ian Rank Broadley (obverse), Reverse changes yearly |
| Composition: 99.99% Gold |
| Coin Size |
Face Value |
Gross Weight |
Diameter |
Thickness |
| 1-kg |
$3,000(Aus)* |
1000.100g |
74.50mm |
13.90mm |
| 10-oz. |
$1,000(Aus)* |
311.067g |
59.70mm |
7.90mm |
| 2-oz. |
$200(Aus)* |
62.214g |
40.40mm |
4.00mm |
| 1-oz. |
$100(Aus) |
31.035g |
32.10mm |
2.65mm |
| 1/2-oz. |
$50(Aus) |
15.5107g |
25.10mm |
2.20mm |
| 1/4-oz. |
$25(Aus) |
7.7508g |
20.10mm |
1.80mm |
| 1/10-oz. |
$15(Aus) |
3.1103g |
16.10mm |
1.40mm |
| 1/20-oz. |
$5(Aus) |
1.5710g |
14.10mm |
1.30mm | |
| Dates: 1986-present (1-, '-, '-, 1/10-oz.); 1989-present (1/20-oz.); 1991-97 (2-oz.); 1991-99 (10-oz., 1-kg) |
Mint: Perth
* In 1991, the 2-oz., 10-oz. and 1-kg nugget had face values of $500, $2,500 and $10,000 respectively. |
