1895 Melbourne 1 Gold Sovereign - obverse
Australia’s Gold Bullion Coins fall into two different categories 22 karat gold and 24 karat gold. The 22 carat gold coins are the one and half gold Sovereigns. The sovereigns had been regularly circulated coins. In 1913 with the onset of War World I gold prices rose dramatically making gold impractical to be used for currency and they were discontinued. After WWI Winston Churchill thought to bring the UK back on to the gold standard with devastating effects. Australia was called to begin striking the sovereigns again after counterfeit sovereigns start to appear during the 1950’s. Ever since 1986 both half and one gold sovereign bullion coins have been available in both bullion grade and Proof grade. In 2009 Australia started striking quarter sovereign. These are 13.5 millimeters in diameter and weight 2 grams.
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 Very Rare Oriana Perth Mint Australia 1 Gr. .9999 Fine Gold Bar $62.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 8h 22m Bid now |
 2012-P Australia 1/20 Oz Gold Lunar (S2) Year of the Dragon $5 NGC MS70 SKU28254 $107.61 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 8h 51m Bid now |
 Very Rare Oriana Perth Mint Australia 1 Gram .9999 Fine Gold Bar $54.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 9h 17m Bid now |
 2012-P Australia 1/20 Oz Gold Lunar (S2) Year of the Dragon $5 NGC MS70 SKU28254 $105.51 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 9h 51m Bid now |
 2012-P Australia 1/20 Oz Gold Lunar (S2) Year of the Dragon $5 NGC MS70 SKU28254 $102.50 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 10h 50m Bid now |
 L@@K -- RARE ---- 1902 P(erth) Australia FULL Sovereign - .2354 Troy Ounce GOLD $338.03 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 22h 42m Bid now |
 L@@K -- RARE ---- 1918 P(erth) Australia FULL Sovereign - .2354 Troy Ounce GOLD $343.03 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 22h 52m Bid now |
 Australia Gold Sovereign 1888-S Almost Uncirculated $445.00 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 32m Bid now |
 Australia Gold Sovereign 1870 Choice Very Fine + $445.00 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 32m Bid now |
2005 Australian Gold Nugget Set - reverse
Australia’s 24 carat gold bullion coins are 99.99% pure and there are currently ten different series available from the Perth Mint. The Mini Roo weighs half a gram and contains 0.016 troy ounces of gold. They are 11.60 millimeters in diameter and 0.70 millimeters thick. Each year they have a different kangaroo design on the reverse, the obverse always have Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait on it, and are marked with the denomination of two Australian dollars.
2012 Gold 50 Dollar Diamond Jubilee 1/4 Troy Ounce
The Australian Gold Nugget is the oldest of the 99.99% pure gold series. They were first minted in 1986 as one troy ounce coins which weighs 1.0001 troy ounces and containing 1.0000 troy ounces of gold. Australia had a number of major changes amongst the gold mining companies operating in Australia in the 1980’s and ultimately it became advantageous for the Gold Corporation to become acquired by the government of Western Australia. The Gold Company furnished the gold to have the Perth Mint strike the Australian Gold Nugget bullion coins. By having Australia’s government issue the gold it can be minted as currency and avoid the taxes many nations have on importing gold.
2012 Discover Australia 1/2 Troy Ounces - various designs
Currently the Australian Gold Nugget is available in weights as fractions of a troy ounce. The 1/20is 14.10 millimeters in diameter and 1.40 millimeters thick with a face value of $5. The 1/10 is 16.10 millimeters in diameter and 1.30 millimeters thick with a face value of $15. The 1/4 is 20.10 millimeters in diameter and 1.80 millimeters thick with a face value of $25. The 1/2 is 25.10 millimeters in diameter and 2.20 millimeters thick with a face value of $50. The one troy ounce coin is 32.10 millimeter in diameter and 2.65 millimeters thick with a face value of $100. Then there are the larger coins. The two ounce coin is 40.40 millimeters in diameter and 3.35 millimeters in diameter in 1991 it was issued with a face value of $500 but after that is shows $200. The ten ounce coin is 59.70 millimeters in diameter and 7.65 millimeters thick the face value was $2,500 in 1991 and afterwards $1,000. The 1 kilogram coin is 74.50 millimeters in diameter and 15.80 millimeters thick with a 1991 face value of $10,000 and $3,000 after that. The largest and heaviest coin in the world is the one tone coin which approximately 800 millimeters in diameter and approximately 120 millimeters thick it weigh 1,012 kilograms or 35,700 troy ounces and has a face value of $1,000,000.
2005 Lunar Series Gold Rooster 1 Troy Ounce 100 Dollars - reverse
The Perth mint is in the middle of minting their second “Lunar” gold coin series. This gold bullion coin was design for the Asian market place and features the Chinese Zodiac figure for the year issued. These are available in: 10 kilograms, 1 kilogram, 10 ounces, 2 ounces, 1 ounces and as the fractions as above. The second longest Australian gold bullion coin series is the “Kangaroo” series and has five weights: 1 kilogram, 1 ounce, 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce, and 1/10 ounce.
The “Koala” is another regular issued gold bullion coin. It was first issued only in silver and now is also available in platinum. These are minted with four different weights: 2 ounce, 1 ounce, 1/10 ounce, and 1/25 ounce. The 1 troy ounce Koala is a very limited “high relief” strike.
2004 Gold Endangered Bird Series Cassoway 150 Dollars - reverse
A number of Australia’s precious metals coins are specialty strikes of very limited numbers. This past June of 2012 was Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee and there are special gold coins commemorating her Jubilee. There are also special issues minted for the 2012 Olympics which were hosted by London. Australia also has a series of “Bird” coins whose proceeds go to help protect the endangered birds that are depicted. Then there are other animals and natural resource celebrated on Australia’s gold bullion coins.
 A Lady's Visit to the Gold Diggings of Australia in 1852-53  |
 Where to Find Australia's Gold Using Metal Detectors and Geological Maps |
 Australia's Strangest Mysteries #2 |
