Local Storage seems to be disabled in your browser.
For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Local Storage in your browser.
Complete Guide to The Perth Mint
By GovMint:
What is the Perth Mint? What does it do? Whether you’re an avid coin enthusiast or a beginner, join us as we cover everything you need to know about the Perth Mint.
Table of Contents
- The History of the Perth Mint
- What Does the Perth Mint Do?
- What Is Special About the Perth Mint?
- What Is the Difference Between the Royal Australian Mint and the Perth Mint?
- What Types of Coins Does the Perth Mint Create?
- Lunar Series
- Wedge-Tailed Eagle Series
- Australian Kangaroo Series
- Australian Koala Series
- Australian Kookaburra Series
- Other Collector Series
- Other Notable Commemorative & Themed Collector Coins
- Can I Buy Directly From The Perth Mint?
- Why Buy Collectible Coins from GovMint?
The History of the Perth Mint
With the discovery of gold in 1892, triggering Australia’s second gold rush, Sir John Forrest saw the importance of gold in Western Australia’s economy. He therefore lobbied the British government to establish a branch of the Royal Mint in Perth. In 1895, the British Government gave the go-ahead to build a mint branch. Four years later, the Perth Mint started operations in 1899.
Since its origins over 125 years ago, the Perth Mint has been responsible for minting millions of coins, including collectible gold and silver coins and bars.
What Does the Perth Mint Do?
The Perth Mint designs and produces gold and silver coins and bullion for numismatic coin collectors and bullion enthusiasts. It also refines most of Australasia’s gold and silver. In its early days, however, the Perth Mint produced currency for the British Empire, such as gold sovereigns and half-sovereigns, until Britain abandoned the gold standard in 1931. During World War II, The Perth Mint also supported Australia’s economy by minting copper coins, including pennies and half-pennies.
What Is Special About The Perth Mint?
The Perth Mint is special because it’s the oldest of the two mints operating in Australia, acting as a premier tourist destination producing luxury jewelry. The Perth Mint is also unique because the Western Australian Government owns it, making it the only government-owned facility that guarantees quality precious metal products.
What Is the Difference Between The Royal Australian Mint and The Perth Mint?
Currently, Australia has two mints in operation: the Royal Australian Mint and the Perth Mint. The Royal Australian Mint is the sole supplier and producer of Australia’s circulating coinage, but it also produces circulating coins for other countries. While the Royal Australian Mint also produces collectible coins, medals, and tokens for local and international clients, the Perth Mint only produces non-circulatory coins for collectors and bullion stackers.
What Types of Coins Does The Perth Mint Create?
The Perth Mint has designed and produced a variety of popular historical and modern coin types. Some of the most common include the Lunar Series, Wedge-Tailed Eagle Series, Australian Silver and Gold Kangaroo Series, and many others. We’ll cover a few of these iconic Perth Mint coin series in more detail in the following sections.
Lunar Series
Starting in 1996, the Lunar Series is a 12-year program based on the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Because of its popularity, the program is in its third series. Coin collectors can obtain gold, silver, and platinum Lunar Series coins.
Wedge-Tailed Eagle Series
Designed by John Mercanti in 2014, the Wedge-Tailed Eagle Series features Australia’s largest bird of prey which is also considered one of the world’s biggest eagles. Since its release, this coin series has been issued annually as gold and silver coins. The series, which is known for its annually changing reverse designs created by Mercanti, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2024.
Australian Kangaroo Series
Although we see early Perth Mint coins that feature Australia’s iconic kangaroo as far back as 1937, the Perth Mint first issued the Gold Kangaroo series in 1987, with a Silver Kangaroo series following in later years. Today, both Silver Kangaroos and Gold Kangaroos are beloved annual releases.
Australian Koala Series
The Koala Series launched in 2007, with varying coin sizes ranging from 1/10th ounce to one kilogram. Popular among coin collectors, this legal tender coin series features a new reverse design each year starring the Australian native, the koala bear.
Australian Kookaburra Series
Introduced in 1990, the Silver Kookaburra series features another iconic Australian bird, with a new design each year. The Kookaburra coin series is available in a variety of sizes, each with a silver purity of 99.99%. In 2020, the Perth Mint celebrated its 30th anniversary since its first issuance of the Kookaburra series with several special releases, including a Two-Ounce Silver Proof Gilded High-Resolution $2 coin.
Other Collector Series
The Perth Mint frequently produces movie and character-themed coins such as Star Wars™, Star Trek™, and 007™James Bond coins, both in silver and gold versions. Here’s a list of other pop-culture-themed coins and numismatic products:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Phantom
The Pink Panther
Shrek
Jurassic World: Dominion
Back to the Future
DC Comics
E.T.
Other Notable Commemorative & Themed Collector Coins
Finally, the Perth Mint is known for producing commemorative coins. A recent and notable example is the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the Overland Telegraph coin and the 125th Anniversary of the Perth Mint coin. The Overland Telegraph coin was issued in 2022 in collaboration with the Australia Post and made with an aluminum-bronze alloy. The 125th Anniversary of the Perth Mint coin is a one ounce silver bullion coin issued in 2024 that celebrates the 125 years of operation of the Perth Mint.
Can I Buy Directly From the Perth Mint?
While the Perth Mint does ship its coins internationally, U.S. residents may find it more convenient and cost-effective to purchase through an approved distributor like GovMint. GovMint offers a wide range of popular gold and silver bullion coins and bars, including those made by the Perth Mint and other reputable institutions. You can find a list of official distributors on the Perth Mint’s website for your reference.
Why Buy Collectible Coins from GovMint?
When you shop through GovMint, you’ll find collectible coins produced at the Perth Mint. You’ll also find a vast selection of reasonably priced authentic vintage and modern coins in gold, silver, platinum, and more. Visit and shop GovMint to start or build your coin collection today.
-
2024 Australia $1 1-oz Silver Koala BUOut of Stock
To learn more about famous coin series, mints around the world, and more, be sure to explore the rest of our Complete Guides!
Complete Guide to the South African Mint
Complete Guide to The Royal Mint
Complete Guide to Collecting Vintage Gold Coins
Sources:
https://www.perthmint.com/about/the-perth-mint-story/
https://www.focusontheuser.org/mint/perth-mint/
https://investorcrate.com/blogs/mint-showcase/the-perth-mint-a-history-of-gold-silver-bullion
https://www.perthmint.com/about/
https://www.ramint.gov.au/about-mint
https://www.perthmint.com/globalassets/assets/documents/policies/guidelines-for-australian-coins.pdf
https://www.perthmint.com/collector-coins/collector-coin-themes/lunar/
https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/4990/john-mercanti-signature-label/
https://coinweek.com/perth-mint-issues-5oz-gilded-2023-wedge-tailed-eagle-coin/
https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/3755/
https://www.govmint.com/world-coins/australia-coins/silver-kangaroo-coins
https://coinweek.com/perth-mint-issues-2023-australian-kangaroo-1oz-silver-bullion-coin/
https://coinweek.com/perth-mint-issues-2023-australian-koala-silver-bullion-coins/
https://www.numismaticnews.net/world-coins/kookaburra-celebrates-30-years
https://www.coinworld.com/news/world-coins/star-wars-sage-yoda-appears-on-new-coins.html
https://www.numismaticnews.net/world-coins/the-name-is-bond-james-bond
https://www.perthmint.com/collector-coins/collector-coin-themes/pop-culture/
https://coinweek.com/perth-mint-coin-commemorates-150th-anniversary-of-overland-telegraph/
© 2024 Copyright GovMint.com. All Rights Reserved. GovMint.com does not sell coins and numismatics as investments, but rather as collectibles. Please review GovMint’s Terms and Conditions, Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before using this website and prior to purchasing from GovMint.com.