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

Updated on 08/06/2026

1 oz. Gold Australian Kangaroo
(Nugget)
Bullion Coin

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1986 - Present

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In 1986, shortly after the U.S. Mint introduced the American Eagle gold bullion coin series, the Perth Mint introduced its first gold bullion coin series, The Australian Nugget.

When the Australian Nugget gold bullion coin was introduced, the reverse side of each separately sized coin featured a design of a large gold nugget discovered in Australia.

For instance, for the first three years the 1 oz. Gold Nugget Bullion coin was minted, the reverse side featured the"Welcome Stranger" Gold Nugget found in 1869.

A Change in Design,
then Name

In 1990, the reverse side of The Australian Nugget was redesigned to feature a Kangaroo instead of a Gold Nugget.

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."

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

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, design by Dr. Stuart Devlin.

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Design of the
1 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.

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

Inscriptions:

• CHARLES III
  
• AUSTRALIA
• •  100 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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Each year, the 1oz and fractional gold bullion coins receive a new design of a kangaroo.

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 
• "40" Privy - 40th Anniversary
• 1 oz
• 9999 GOLD
• P - Mint Mark of the Perth Mint
• NH - Neil Hollis's initials, reverse side designer 

The edge of the gold bullion coin is reeded.

Reverse side photo provided courtesy of The Perth Mint

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1 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:...............$100 AUD

Gold Content:............1 Troy oz.

Total Weight:............31.10 grams

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

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

Diameter:.................32.60 mm

Thickness:................2.80 mm

Obverse Designer:....Raphael David Maklouf (1986 - 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:...............1986 - 2007 - No

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

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

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

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

1987....131,264....131,264.."Welcome Stranger" nugget found in 1869

1988....128,461....128,461.."Welcome Stranger" nugget found in 1869

1989....189,321....189,321.."Welcome Stranger" nugget found in 1869

1990....300,000....300,000....Grey Kangaroo

1991....130,522....250,000....Grey Kangaroo

1992....111,922....250,000....Common Wallaroo

1993....300,000....300,000....Nailtailed Wallaby

1994....135,876....350,000....Whiptail Wallaby

1995....165,015....350,000....A Standing Kangaroo

1996....286,737....350,000....Mother Kangaroo & Joey

1997....231,013....350,000....Kangaroo Leaping

1998....143,623....350,000....Two Kangaroos

1999....127,051....350,000....Kangaroo Joey

2000....65,556.....350,000....Two Kangaroos Leaping

2001....31,206.....350,000....Kangaroo standing in Grass

2002....44,168.....350,000....Two Kangaroos in front of Australia

2003....46,554.....350,000....Kangaroo Drinking

2004....61,278.....350,000....Two Kangaroos

2005....68,428.....350,000....Kangaroo in front of native plant

2006....49,991.....350,000....Kangaroo Standing

2007....46,891.....350,000....Kangaroo Standing

2008....63,429.....350,000....Mother & Joey Kangaroo leaping in a field

2009....298,016....350,000....Mother Kangaroo w/ Joey in pouch

2010....152,229....350,000....Kangaroos boxing

2011....190,681....350,000....Kangaroo in front of Rising Sun

2012....198,207....350,000....Kangaroo in the Outback with Windmill

2013....341,417....350,000....Kangaroo Standing in the Outback

2014....223,041....unlimited...Kangaroo Standing along fence line

2015....206,743....unlimited...Kangaroo hopping in the Outback

2016....221,817....unlimited...Kangaroo looking back at its Shadow

2017....229,632....unlimited...Kangaroo leaping in the Outback

2018....188,921....unlimited...Two Kangaroos leaping in the Outback

2019....119,393......unlimited...A Kangaroo standing Under Trees

2020....385,598.......unlimited...Two Kangaroos among Grass Trees

2021....559,131......unlimited...a Kangaroo crouching in the Outback

2022....682,539......unlimited...two Kangaroos jumping in the Outback

2023....186,236......unlimited...strong Kangaroo standing in Outback

2024....TBA.........unlimited...Kangaroo jumping over Dry Creek Bed

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

2026....TBA.........unlimited...Two Kangaroos Leaping Across Water

TBA = to be announced

Mintage figures were last updated on 06/17/26

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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Note: 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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