Sales of 2018-dated Australian Koala Silver Bullion Coins officially started. The Perth Mint made the release announcement on Jan. 8, 2018.
Issued since 2007, the 99.99% pure silver coin features an annually changing design portraying the lovable Koala. This year’s design shows the pouched marsupial astride two branches in a flowering eucalyptus tree.
Available options include two sizes — the 1 kilo and 1oz. The mintage of the smaller, more standard piece is limited to 300,000 coins. The kilo coin is minted to demand.
"The attractive design is portrayed on the 1oz coin in a superior bullion finish combining both frosted and shiny design elements," The Perth Mint describes.
"Representing one of the most cost-effective ways to acquire silver bullion in the trusted format of Australian legal tender, its kilo cousin features a fully frosted finish," it adds.
Inscriptions around the reverse design include AUSTRALIAN KOALA, the Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mint mark, the year 2018, the coin’s weight of either 1oz or 1 KILO, and the coin’s fineness of 9999 SILVER.
Obverses show the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with circling inscriptions of ELIZABETH II, AUSTRALIA, and 1 DOLLAR or 30 DOLLARS.
Perth Mint-provided specifications for the two Australian legal tender bullion coins follow.
| 1 Kilo | 1oz | |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Content (Troy oz) | 32.151 | 1 |
| Denomination | 30 | 1 |
| Fineness | 99.99 | 99.99 |
| Gross Weight (g) | 1,001.002 | 31.135 |
| Diameter (mm) | 100.60 | 40.60 |
| Thickness (mm) | 14.60 | 4.00 |
Bullion coin and precious metals dealers are now selling 2018 Koala coins for around $4 to $7 over spot with discounts offered at larger quantities.
The coin series began in silver in 2007, not in 1987. There is a platinum koala, but not the silver version.
Thank you Joseph! The article was updated with the series start year of 2007.
Just the other day, i came across my two first year of issue 2012 high relief 1.oz Australian Koala with a mintage of 10’000 by the Perth Mint, their very nice, their 999.3 silver, unlike the 2018 bullion Koala which is 99.99 silver, i have the 1.oz first year 2007 Koala that came back NGC 70 someplace, I’m pretty sure 2007 was 999.3 silver tho, i* might be wrong tho, i *hope i am, i*ll come across it someday.