A new design, mintages and release date for 2013 Australian Kangaroo Gold Bullion Coins were revealed this week by the Perth Mint of Australia.
Offered in varying mintages and ranging in five sizes from the smallest 1/4 ounce to the largest 1 kilo, the 99.99% pure gold bullion coins will make their official entrance via Perth Mint distribution channels on October 1, 2012.
Reverses for all but the largest coin feature a new design, which is that of a kangaroo set against a bush scene. Inscriptions surrounding the reverses include AUSTRALIAN KANGAROO, the year 2013, the coin’s precious metal weight and 9999 GOLD. The Perth Mint’s mint mark, P, is placed within the outer portion of the central scene.
The series of gold bullion coins has offered annually changing kangaroo designs since 1990, displacing images of Australian gold nuggets that the series was first known for between its introduction in 1987 and 1989. In fact, the bullion series was still known as the "Australian Nugget" series until the name "Australian Kangaroo" began being used in 2008.
1 kilo sized coins have been around since 1992, and have always depicted the classic image of a red kangaroo by Dr Stuart Devlin AO CMG, goldsmith and jeweller to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Inscriptions on it are the same as on the smaller coins, with the exception of words RED KANGAROO beneath the jumping marsupial.
Obverses of all the coins feature the same portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, plus the inscriptions of their face value, ELIZABETH II, and AUSTRALIA.
Mintage limits and specifications remain the same as prior years, and are listed in the following table:
Specifications for 2013 Kangaroo Gold Bullion Coins
| Size | 1 kilo | 1 oz | 1/2 oz | 1/4 oz | 1/10 oz |
| Minimum Gross Weight (g) | 1,000.100 | 31.112 | 15.554 | 7.777 | 3.111 |
| Diameter (mm) | 75.60 | 32.60 | 25.60 | 20.60 | 16.60 |
| Thickness (mm) | 13.90 | 2.80 | 2.40 | 2.00 | 1.50 |
| Face Value (AUD) | $3,000 | $100 | $50 | $25 | $15 |
| Mintage Limit | unlimited | 350,000 | 100,000 | 150,000 | 200,000 |
| Gold Content (Troy oz) | 32.151 | 1 | .5 | .25 | .1 |
Each bullion coin carries an Australian Government guarantee of weight and purity, and they are considered legal tender under the Australian Currency Act of 1965.
2013 Australian Kangaroo gold bullion coins are presented in protective acrylic capsules and may be purchased through the Perth Mint’s distribution and coin dealer network. (See http://www.perthmint.com.au/distributors.aspx.)
By far the most popular out of the series is the 1 ounce size. For reference, maximum mintages and sales by year are shown.
1987 – 2011 1 Oz. Kangaroo Gold Coin Sales and Mintages
| YEAR | MINTAGES | SALES |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | unlimited | 131,264 |
| 1988 | unlimited | 128,461 |
| 1989 | unlimited | 189,321 |
| 1990 | 300,000 | 300,000 |
| 1991 | 250,000 | 130,522 |
| 1992 | 250,000 | 111,922 |
| 1993 | 300,000 | 300,000 |
| 1994 | 350,000 | 135,876 |
| 1995 | 350,000 | 165,015 |
| 1996 | 350,000 | 286,737 |
| 1997 | 350,000 | 231,013 |
| 1998 | 350,000 | 143,623 |
| 1999 | 350,000 | 127,051 |
| 2000 | 350,000 | 65,556 |
| 2001 | 350,000 | 31,206 |
| 2002 | 350,000 | 44,168 |
| 2003 | 350,000 | 46,554 |
| 2004 | 350,000 | 61,278 |
| 2005 | 350,000 | 68,428 |
| 2006 | 350,000 | 49,991 |
| 2007 | 350,000 | 46,811 |
| 2008 | 350,000 | 63,419 |
| 2009 | 350,000 | 298,012 |
| 2010 | 350,000 | 157,275 |
| 2011 | 350,000 | 190,678 |
The above mintages and sales were last updated by the Perth Mint of Australia on April 13, 2012.
For more Perth Mint coin highlights, see this site’s Australian Coin Guide.
it seems the RAM will be putting out 2 silver kangaroo proof designs for 2013. one for the 20th anniversary and one that matches the carded BU coin.
http://www.downies.com/Royal-Australian-Mint/2013-1-20th-Anniversary-1oz-Silver-Proof/3320/productview.aspx
http://www.downies.com/Royal-Australian-Mint/2013-1-Kangaroo-1oz-Silver-proof/3322/productview.aspx
and the carded
http://www.downies.com/Royal-Australian-Mint/2013-1-Kangaroo-1oz-Silver-Frunc/3324/productview.aspx