Homepage / Bullion Coins: Australian Coins / 1/2 oz. Australian Gold Kangaroo

Updated on 03/30/2024

1/2 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

The Gold Australian Kangaroo bullion coin is one of the Perth Mint's most popular coins.

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

For example, in its first three years, the 1/2 oz. Gold Nugget bullion coin had on its reverse side the design of the "Hand of Faith" Gold Nugget found in 1980 in Australia.

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

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Oddly, even though the reverse side of the coin changed from a nugget to a kangaroo in 1990, it wouldn't be until 2008 when the Perth Mint officially changed the name of the gold bullion coin from "The Australian Nugget" to "Australian Kangaroo."  (coin photos courtesy of The Coin Page.)

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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
1/2 oz. Gold Australian Kangaroo
(Nugget) Bullion Coin

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Obverse

The direction of the monarch's face is a subtle difference between the 2023 and 2024 Gold Australian Kangaroo bullion coin.

On the 2023 Australian Kangaroo, the late Queen Elizabeth II is facing the right, whereas the 2024 Australian Kangaroo portrays the new King of England, Charles III, as facing the 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 1/2 oz Gold Australian Kangaroo bullion coin portrays the profile of His Majesty, King Charles III, designed by David Thorne. 

Inscriptions:

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

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; in 2024, the reverse side depicts an Australian Kangaroo jumping over a dry creek bed with a windmill connected to an elevated water storage tank in the background.

Inscriptions:

• KANGAROO
• Year of Issue "2024"
• weight of "1/2oz"
• purity of "9999 GOLD"
• P125 - the Perth Mint's 125th Anniversary mint mark
• WR - reverse side designer Wade Robinson's initials on the elevated water storage tank.

Reverse side photo provided courtesy of The Perth Mint

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1/2 oz. Gold Australian Kangaroo
(Nugget)
Coin Information

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

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

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

IRA Approved:......Yes

Face Value:..........$50 AUD

Gold Content:.......1/2 troy oz.

Total Weight:.......15.553 grams

Purity:.................99.99% / 999.9

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

Diameter:............25.60 mm

Thickness:...........2.19 mm

Designers:...........Jody Clark (obverse)

Mint Mark:...........1986 - 2007 - No

Mint Mark:...........2008 - Present - Yes

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

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1/2 oz. Gold Australian Kangaroo
(Nugget) Bullion Coins
- Mintage Figures

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Year.....Sales......Mintage....Coin's Reverse Description

1986.......n/a..........n/a........"Hand of Faith" Nugget found in 1980

1987....105,530....unlimited...."Hand of Faith" Nugget found in 1980

1988....76,413......unlimited...."Hand of Faith" Nugget found in 1980

1989....89,104......unlimited...."Hand of Faith" Nugget found in 1980

1990....64,471......240,000....Grey Kangaroo

1991....56,809......100,000....Grey Kangaroo

1992....54,269......100,000....Common Wallaroo

1993....66,162......125,000....Nail-tailed Wallaby

1994....83,057......125,000....Whip-tail Wallaby

1995....45,066......125,000....A Standing Kangaroo

1996....100,000.....100,000....Mother Kangaroo & Joey

1997....100,000.....100,000....Kangaroo Leaping

1998....42,293......100,000....Two Kangaroos

1999....37,163......100,000....Kangaroo Joey

2000....35,517......100,000....Two Kangaroos Leaping

2001....18,000......100,000....Kangaroo standing in Grass

2002....18,496......100,000....Two Kangaroos in front of Australia

2003....20,621......100,000....Kangaroo Drinking

2004....21,119......100,000....Two Kangaroos

2005....19,617......100,000....Kangaroo in front of native plant

2006....15,270......100,000....Kangaroo standing

2007....13,780......100,000....Kangaroo Standing

2008....15,530......100,000....Mother & Joey Kangaroo leaping in a field

2009....31,658......100,000....Mother Kangaroo w/ Joey in pouch

2010....26,948......100,000....Kangaroos boxing

2011....17,827......100,000....Kangaroo in front of Rising Sun

2012....23,613......100,000....Kangaroo in the Outback with Windmill

2013....46,095......100,000....Kangaroo Standing in the Outback

2014....22,510......100,000....Kangaroo Standing along fence line

2015....28,477......100,000....Kangaroo hopping in the Outback

2016....23,140......100,000....Kangaroo looking back at its Shadow

2017....27,075......100,000....Kangaroo leaping in the Outback

2018....19,861......100,000....Two Kangaroos leaping in the Outback

2019....16,115......100,000....A Kangaroo standing Under Trees

2020....22,277.....100,000....two Kangaroos standing in the Outback

2021....20,799.....100,000....a Kangaroo crouching in the Outback

2022....14,023.....100,000....two Kangaroos jumping in the Outback

2023....TBA......100,000....strong Kangaroo standing in Outback

2024....TBA......100,000....Kangaroo jumping over Dry Creek Bed

Mintage figures were last updated on 03/24/23

We are waiting on the Perth Mint to update their mintage figures.

TBA = to be announced

n/a = not available

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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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