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

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

1987 - Present

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

When the Gold Nugget (Kangaroo) bullion coin was originally released in 1987, the reverse side of each individually sized coin had a design to itself of a Gold Nugget found in Australia.

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

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Nugget to Kangaroo
A Change in Design,
then Name

In 1990, the design on the reverse side of the gold bullion coin changed to the "Australian Kangaroo."

In addition, each year the 1oz. and fractionally sized gold bullion coins receive a new design of a Kangaroo.

Ultimately, in 2008, the Perth Mint changed the bullion coin's name from "The Australian Nugget" to the "Australian Kangaroo."

Due to the gold bullion coin's proof-like finish and its limited mintage figures, this bullion coin has the potential to appreciate beyond the value of its gold content.

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Design & Photos

Coin Info

Mintage Figures

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Where You Can Buy
Gold Kangaroo Bullion Coins

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Design of the
Australian 1/2 oz. Gold Kangaroo Bullion Coin

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Obverse

The obverse side of the Australian Gold Kangaroo bullion coin has the profile of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Gold Kangaroo portrays a profile of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, by designer Jody Clark, his initials "JC" can be found on the Queen's shoulder.

"ELIZABETH II" and "AUSTRALIA" are displayed around the upper perimeter of the gold bullion coin.

The coin's Face Value of "50 DOLLARS" are inscribed along the bottom perimeter of the bullion coin.

Obverse side photo provided courtesy of The Perth Mint

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Reverse

Inscribed across the top of the gold bullion coin are the words "AUSTRALIAN KANGAROO."

At the bottom of the Australian, Gold Kangaroo bullion coin is the bullion coin's "Year of Issue," the weight of "1/2 OZ." and purity of "9999 GOLD."

The Australian Gold Kangaroo bullion coin has the Mint Mark of "P" representing The Perth Mint.

The edge of the gold bullion coin is Reeded.

The reverse side of the Gold Kangaroo bullion coin receives a new design each year, it designer usually always leaves their initials somewhere on the coin.

On the coin above, the reverse side was designed by Aleysha Howarth and her initials are shown as 'AH."

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Note: The Australian Gold Kangaroo bullion coins are sometimes mistaken for The Australian Lunar Gold Bullion coins.

Both coins are minted by The Perth Mint and have .9999 purity, but Lunar coin uses images of different animals from the Chinese calendar each year instead of the kangaroo.

Reverse side photo provided courtesy of The Perth Mint

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

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Introduced:.........1987

Ofcl. Coin Name..."The Australian Nugget" 1987 - 2007

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

IRA Approved:......Yes

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

Gold Content:.......1/2 troy oz. (ozt.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mint Mark:...........1987 - 2007 - No

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

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

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

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

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....Kangaroo leaping in Grass

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....10,043.....100,000....Two kangaroos among Grass Trees

2021...........0......100,000....Kangaroo crouching in the Outback

Mintage figures were last updated on 11/20/20, by the Perth Mint

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