Homepage / Bullion Coins: Australian Coins / 1/10 oz. Australian Gold Kangaroo

Updated on 07/10/2026

1/10 oz Gold Australian Kangaroo
(Nugget)
Bullion Coin

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1986 - Present

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Nugget to Kangaroo,
A Change in Design,
then Name

In 1986, when the Gold Nugget bullion coin was released, the reverse side of each individually sized coin had the design of a large gold nugget found in Australia.

The first three years of production for the 1/4 oz Gold Nugget Bullion coin's reverse side showed the design of the "Little Hero" gold nugget, discovered in Australia in 1890.

Then, in 1990, The Australian Nugget's reverse side of the coin was redesigned to feature an "Australian Kangaroo."

Oddly, even though the reverse side of the coin changed from a nugget to a kangaroo in 1990, the Perth Mint didn't officially change the name of the bullion coin until 2008 from "The Australian Nugget" to "Australian Kangaroo."

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The Gold Australian Kangaroo bullion coin has become one of the Perth Mint's most sought-after bullion coins.

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Note: The reverse designs on the 1-kilo., 10oz., and 2oz. Gold Australian Nugget bullion coins had the same design as the 1-kilo. Gold Australian Kangaroo bullion coin does today, a Red Kangaroo.

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Design of the
1/10 oz. Gold Australian Kangaroo
(Nugget) Bullion Coin

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Obverse

A subtle difference occurs on British Commonwealth coins when a monarch passes away. The new monarch's profile changes direction from that of the previous leader of the kingdom.

On the Australian Kangaroo coins issued in 2023 and previous years, the late Queen Elizabeth II is depicted facing right. In contrast, the current Kangaroo coin features the new King of England, Charles III, facing left.

Switching the direction a monarch faces on British Commonwealth coinage is a tradition that dates back to the 17th century for the British Royal Family.

Note: Inscribed at the top of the 2023's Gold Australian Kangaroo's obverse side shows the the dates 1952-2022, which represents the duration of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

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The obverse side of the 1/10th oz Gold Australian Kangaroo bullion coin portrays the profile of His Majesty, King Charles III, designed by David Thorne. 

Inscriptions:

• CHARLES III
• AUSTRALIA
• •  15 DOLLARS  •  (face value)
  
• DT - designer's initials under the King's profile
  

The edge of the gold bullion coin is reeded.

Obverse side photo provided courtesy of The Perth Mint

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Reverse

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The reverse side of the Gold Australian Kangaroo bullion coin receives a new design each year.

A privy mark of 40 commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the Australian Nugget, officially known as the inaugural series name of the Australian Kangaroo gold bullion coins.  (Note: this is mentioned in the introductory section of this page.)

Inscriptions:

• KANGAROO
• Year of Issue 
• weight of "1/4oz"
• purity of "9999 GOLD"
• "40" Privy - 40th Anniversary
• P - Mint Mark of the Perth Mint
• NH - Neil Hollis's initials, reverse side designer 

The edge of the gold coin is Reeded.

Reverse side photo provided courtesy of The Perth Mint

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1/10 oz. Gold Australian Kangaroo
(Nugget)
Coin Information

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Introduced:...........1986

Ofcl. Coin Name...."The Australian Gold Nugget" 1986 - 2007

Ofcl. Coin Name...."Australian Kangaroo" 2008 - present

IRA Approved:......Yes

Face Value:...........$15 AUD

Gold Content:........1/10 troy oz.

Total Weight:........3.111 grams

Purity:..................99.99% / .9999

Karat:...................24 karat

Diameter:.............16.60mm

Thickness:............1.40 mm

Designers:............Ian Rank-Broadley (obverse) (1986 - 2018)

Designers:............Jody Clark (obverse) (2019 - 2023)

Designers:............Dan Thorne (obverse) (2024 - Present)

No Mint Mark:......1986 - 2007 

Mint Mark:...........2008 - Present - Yes  (P = The Perth Mint)

Edge:...................Reeded

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1/10 oz. Gold Australian Kangaroo
(Nugget)
Bullion Coin - Mintage Figures

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Year.....Sales......Mintage.....Coin Name / Reverse Description

1986.......n/a.......n/a............."Little Hero" nugget found in 1890

1987....165,105....unlimited...."Little Hero" nugget found in 1890

1988....97,276.....unlimited...."Little Hero" nugget found in 1890

1989....122,342....unlimited...."Little Hero" nugget found in 1890

1990....200,000....200,000....Grey Kangaroo

1991....150,000....150,000....Grey Kangaroo

1992....150,000....150,000....Common Wallaroo

1993....200,000....200,000....Nailtailed Wallaby

1994....167,987....200,000....Whiptail Wallaby

1995....119,030....200,000....A Standing Kangaroo

1996....200,000....200,000....Mother Kangaroo & Joey

1997....200,000....200,000....Kangaroo Leaping

1998....81,554.....200,000....Two Kangaroos

1999....105,292....200,000....Kangaroo Joey

2000....62,743.....200,000....Two Kangaroos Leaping

2001....26,332.....200,000....Kangaroo standing in Grass

2002....25,600.....200,000....Two Kangaroos in front of Australia

2003....34,575.....200,000....Kangaroo Drinking

2004....25,366.....200,000....Two Kangaroos

2005....33,433.....200,000....Kangaroo in front of native plant

2006....28,453.....200,000....Kangaroo Standing

2007....22,583.....200,000....Kangaroo Standing

2008....23,357.....200,000....Mother & Joey Kangaroo leaping in a field

2009....36,235.....200,000....Mother Kangaroo w/ Joey in pouch

2010....39,997.....200,000....Boxing Kangaroos

2011....51,240.....200,000....Kangaroo in front of Rising Sun

2012....57,725.....200,000....Kangaroo in the Outback with Windmill

2013....53,994.....200,000....Kangaroo Standing in the Outback

2014....41,333.....200,000....Kangaroo Standing along fence line

2015....60,726.....200,000....Kangaroo hopping in the Outback

2016....52,669.....200,000....Kangaroo looking back at its Shadow

2017....55,596.....200,000....Kangaroo leaping in the Outback

2018....35,839.....200,000...Two Kangaroos leaping in the Outback

2019....30,079.....200,000...A Kangaroo standing Under Trees

2020....64,512.....200,000...two Kangaroos standing in the Outback

2021....40,126.....200,000...a Kangaroo crouching in the Outback

2022....100,040.....200,000...Kangaroos jumping in the Outback

2023....54,983.....200,000...strong Kangaroo standing in Outback

2024....TBA.....200,000...Kangaroo jumping over Dry Creek Bed

2025....TBA.....200,000...Two Kangaroos. One lying down, the other standing tall

2026....TBA.....200,000...Two Kangaroos Leaping Across Water

TBA = to be announced

Mintage figures were last updated on 06/20/26

The Perth Mint has updated its mintage figures only up to 2023, and it is expected to provide further updates on these numbers.

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Due to its proof-like quality and restricted mintage, the Australian Kangaroo gold bullion coin has the potential to gain value above its gold content.

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