Homepage / Bullion Coins: Australian Coin / 1/20 oz. Gold Australian Kangaroo

Updated on 07/30/2026

1/20th oz. Gold Australian
Kangaroo (Nugget)
Bullion Coin

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1990 - 2011

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The Perth Mint introduced the 1/20th oz. gold bullion coin in 1990, following the introductory release of Gold Nugget bullion coins in 1986 (now known as the Australian Kangaroo); however, the mint discontinued minting the 1/20th oz gold bullion coin in 2011.

Nugget to Kangaroo,
A Change in Design,
then Name

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

Then, in 1990, The Australian Nugget's reverse side of the coin was redesigned to feature the "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
1/20 oz. Gold Australian
Kangaroo (Nugget) Bullion Coin

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Obverse

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The obverse side of the Gold Australian Kangaroo bullion coin features the profile of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley.

Inscriptions:

• ELIZABETH II • AUSTRALIA
• 2008  (Year of Issue)
  
• •  5 DOLLARS  •  (face value)
• IRB - Ian Rank-Broadley - under the Queen's neck

The edge of the gold bullion coin is reeded.

Obverse Coin Photo provided courtesy of The Coin Page

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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 2008, the reverse side of the Gold Australian Kangaroo bullion coin depicts a mother Australian Kangaroo leaping through a field, with a young Joey kangaroo in her pouch.

Inscriptions:

• AUSTRALIAN KANGAROO
• weight of "1/20 OZ." 
• purity of "9999 GOLD"
• P - mint mark of the Perth Mint
  

Reverse Coin Photo provided courtesy of The Coin Page

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1/20 oz. Gold Australian Kangaroo
(Nugget)
Coin Information

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Introduced:..............1990

Ofcl. Coin Name........"The Australian Nugget" 1990 - 2007

Ofcl. Coin Name....... "Australian Kangaroo" 2008 - 2011

IRA Approved:......... Yes

Face Value:..............$5 AUD

Gold Content:.......... 1/20 troy oz.

Total Weight:........... 1.555 grams

Purity:......................99.99% (per cent) / 999.9 (per mille) 

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

Diameter:.................13.70mm

Obverse Designer:....Raphael David Maklouf (1990 - 1997)

Obverse Designer:....Ian Rank-Broadley (1998 - 2018)

Obverse Designer:....Jody Clark (2019 - 2023)

Obverse Designer:....Dan Thorne (2024 - Present)

Reverse Designer:....Changes Yearly

Mint Mark:................1990 - 2007 - No

Mint Mark:................2008 - 2011 - Yes ("P" = The Perth Mint)

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

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1/20 oz. Gold Australian Kangaroo
(Nugget) 
 Mintage Figures:

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

1990....130,609....200,000....Grey Kangaroo

1991....112,965....200,000....Grey Kangaroo

1992....115,634....200,000....Common Wallaroo

1993....176,006....200,000....Nailtailed Wallaby

1994....114,165....200,000....Whiptail Wallaby

1995....77,893.....200,000....Standing Kangaroo

1996....189,706....200,000....Mother Kangaroo & Joey

1997....138,766....200,000....Kangaroo Leaping

1998....49,703.....200,000....Two Kangaroos

1999....41,448.....200,000....Kangaroo Joey

2000....37,220.....200,000....Two Kangaroos Leaping

2001....25,948.....200,000....Kangaroo standing in Grass

2002....21,767.....200,000....Two Kangaroos in front of Australia

2003....18,426.....200,000....Kangaroo Drinking

2004....15,002.....200,000....Two Kangaroos

2005....23,106.....200,000....Kangaroo in front of native plant

2006....12,299.....200,000....Kangaroo Standing

2007....14,983.....200,000....Kangaroo Standing

2008....15,945.....200,000....Mother & Joey Kangaroo leaping in a field

2009....12,161.....200,000....Mother Kangaroo w/ Joey in pouch

2010....1,112.......200,000....Kangaroos boxing

2011....1,093.......200,000....Kangaroo in front of Rising Sun

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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