Australian Kangaroo Silver Coins
Australian Kangaroo silver coins: close to the ideal of a bullion coin
What characterises the silver kangaroo as an investment coin?
The silver Australian Kangaroo continues tradition in two ways: on the one hand, it is the low-priced silver variant of the Kangaroo gold coin, which has been extremely popular since 1990. On the other hand, it expands the Perth Mint's product range to include another silver coin with an animal motif, in addition to the ever-popular Kookaburra Silver and the equally successful Koala Silver.
Like its gold counterpart, the silver Kangaroo impresses with the highest purity of 999.9/1000, top quality and high-tech production. The coin was first issued in 2015, when it was still limited to 300,000 pieces, and then in unlimited numbers from 2016. The coin is minted in the unit of 1 ounce and with a face value of 1 Australian dollar; other units are only available as proof coins.
A special feature of the Australian Kangaroo silver coin is the micro laser engraved ‘A’ for Australia, which gives the coin a security feature that is only visible under a magnifying glass.
In contrast to the gold coin, the motif of the silver kangaroo does not change annually, but retains the classic hopping ‘Red Kangaroo’ motif, which usually adorns the gold coins with a higher fine weight. It is surrounded by a wreath with sunrays. The reverse side is decorated with the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, as with all Commonwealth coins.
With its fine silver content, elaborate design, high minting quality and favourable premiums, the Australian Kangaroo silver coin is one of the best bullion coins on the international market.
The Australian Kangaroo Silver is close to the daily silver price and thus offers you advantages that experts recommend for a basic stock of silver coins: silver can balance out fluctuations in your investment portfolio, increase the total return and serve as protection against possible inflation. Especially in times of low interest rates, this is the decisive argument for many investors. Here in our blog, you can also learn more about the topic of what are the best silver coins to buy?
What should I bear in mind when buying kangaroo silver coins?
Silver coins can basically be categorised into two types:
- Bullion coins are based on the precious metal price. The value stamped on the coins does not correspond to the actual value, because the silver price in the current economic climate far exceeds the nominal value. They are issued in high quantities.
- In the case of collector's coins, the value is based on factors such as the motif, rarity or other special events related to a particular coin, so prices can vary greatly from the daily silver prices.
The Australian Kangaroo silver is a bullion coin through and through, with an unlimited mintage. Only the limited first edition from 2015 is considered a collector's coin. In terms of popularity and fame, the silver Kangaroo benefits from the achievements of the gold version. The lower price compared to gold, with an excellent consumer market, makes it an ideal investment coin, especially for beginners.
Otherwise, you should ensure a minimum holding period of one year when buying silver coins and keep the receipt so that you do not have to pay tax on your profit. Precious metals such as gold can also be purchased anonymously up to a value of €2,000.
Silver bars are always an alternative to silver coins. They usually have no collector's value and are defined exclusively by their material. They can be conveniently stacked on top of each other to save space, and their liquidity is ensured by global distribution and easy processing. However, a value added tax of 19% is levied on the purchase of silver bars.
Why should I buy online?
Since 2006, StoneX Bullion has been providing a platform throughout Europe for collectors, private and institutional investors, dealers and financial advisors to buy and sell physical silver and other precious metals. As an e-commerce shop with 15 years of experience, our actions are designed for smooth and user-friendly handling.
In order to always guarantee you the cheapest silver price, we update our prices by the second. Likewise, StoneX Bullion offers bulk buyers the opportunity to purchase silver at the usual wholesale prices.
In principle, it is advisable to buy precious metals online, as you can get a suitable overview of the many different investment options without the influence of a seller. Furthermore, with online purchases, any shipping risks are borne by the seller, which is why you don't have to rush through the city to your car with your kangaroo silver coins in your luggage.
Our experts are happy to support prospective buyers, sellers, and investors with their extensive knowledge in the coin and precious metals trade. In doing so, excellent and fast service in personal customer care is our top priority.
Are Kangaroo silver coins tax-free?
No, silver coins are subject to a VAT rate of 19%. However, there is a perfectly legal way to avoid this tax rate. If the dealer obtains his coins from non-EU countries (as is the case with Australian Kangaroo silver), he only pays import sales tax of 7%.
When selling, only the difference between the gross sales price and the purchase price is taxed at the rate of 19%. The so-called margin scheme is ultimately well below the VAT rate. You can buy margin-scheme silver coins directly from us.
Can I easily resell the Australian Kangaroo silver?
Definitely yes. The Australian Kangaroo silver has a buyer's market like only a few other coins. In addition to qualities such as the fine design and the excellent counterfeit protection, it benefits above all from the popularity and popularity of the gold variant, so that the way was paved for the first edition to achieve excellent fungibility.
As a certified Australian Kangaroo dealer, StoneX Bullion offers a secure way to resell your purchased silver coins at fair prices. Please feel free to contact our customer service.
Value security of Australian Kangaroo silver coins
How is the quality of the Australian Kangaroo silver ensured?
The Perth Mint is recognised and respected worldwide for its high quality and innovative design. The manufacturing techniques for its precious metal products make it virtually impossible to convincingly copy the Australian Kangaroo. Overlapping parts of the body, the depth of the relief or the micro-laser engraved ‘A’, which can only be seen with a magnifying glass, require sophisticated equipment that is correspondingly expensive to purchase.
The Perth Mint's expertise is characterised by its wealth of tradition and experience, as well as its use of the latest coin and manufacturing technology.
What is the best way to store my Australian Kangaroo silver coins?
Silver – especially as fine as the Australian Kangaroo with its purity of 999.9/1000 – tends to tarnish or develop unsightly milk spots on the coin's surface. This tarnishes the shine of your coins and ultimately also their value. To preserve their condition, you should always store your coins in an airtight seal. Coin capsules offer you this option and you can conveniently purchase them in the appropriate size from our shop. It is best not to remove the individual coins from their original packaging unnecessarily if they are already encapsulated or delivered in coin bags.
If you want to look at your silver kangaroos, you can use washable cotton gloves. This will help you to avoid fingerprints or the typical scratches from tweezers.
Expert knowledge on Australian Kangaroos
History of the Kangaroo
The Kangaroo series – or rather, the Nuggets series – was introduced in 1986 by the Gold Corporation, a company owned by the government of Western Australia. Until 1989, various Australian nuggets were depicted on the reverse of the gold coins, hence the name ‘Australian Nuggets’.
The 1989 proof edition was the first to feature kangaroos in their natural habitat – a globally established symbol of Australia. The Australian Nugget was unable to establish itself on the market, and so the courageous step was taken to change the design and name. From 1990, the nuggets had disappeared as motifs, and instead, the coin appeared with annually changing kangaroo motifs and has since developed into a highly sought-after and very popular gold coin.
However, it was only in 2007 that the series was officially renamed the Australian Kangaroo series. The coin has been issued in silver since 2016, so the term ‘Australian Nugget Silver’ is not correct despite the numerous synonyms.
The Australian Kangaroo Platinum has also been issued since 2018.
Where does the name Australian Kangaroo come from?
The coin is named after the motif with what is probably the most famous representative of Australia's unique wildlife. This animal owes its name to the continent's indigenous people, who called it ‘gang-go-roo’. In modern Australia, it is simply called ‘roos’ in colloquial speech.
Country of issue | Australia |
Prägestätte | Perth Mint |
Face value | 1 Australian Dollar (AUD) |
Purity | 999.9/1000 silver |
Diameter | 40,6 mm |
Thickness | 2,8 mm |
Weight | 31,1035 g |
Edge | serrated |
Packaging | 25 per tube, 250 per box |
First release | 2015 Collector's edition, from 2016 bullion coin |
Alternatives to the Australian Kangaroo Silver
Australian bullion coins
Coins from Australia tend to depict the continent's exotic wildlife. The silver Kookaburra coin, with its image of the kingfisher, which also changes annually, is similarly well known. Another Australian national symbol, the koala silver, has been immortalised on coins since 2007. The Lunar 3 silver series also features animals, albeit non-Australian ones: it includes the twelve animals of the Chinese horoscope.
Bullion coins with animal motifs
If you would like to expand your portfolio with animal motifs, the China Panda Silver, the American Buffalo and the American Eagle as gold coins and the American Eagle silver coins are always a good choice.
The most popular silver bullion coins at a glance
Silver bullion coins are minted in high volumes and usually have a fineness of over 999/1000 silver with the same motif every year. The value is based on the current silver price. However, even for some professionals, the range of coins on the market, with a variety of coins from Armenia to South Africa, is unmanageable. Therefore, we offer you a small overview of the most prominent and best-suited silver bullion coins, so that you can easily find or confirm your buying preferences.
- Maple Leaf: The Maple Leaf silver from Canada has set a standard since its first minting in 1988 with an extraordinary purity of 999.9/1000, by which other silver coins are measured. It offers a particularly high level of security thanks to the innovative Bullion DNA technology. With its good price-performance ratio and high annual mintage, it is one of the most popular silver bullion coins. It offers very good resale opportunities.
- The design with the maple leaf, probably Canada's most famous symbol, is the highest, most detailed art of coin design and can be found consistently across all denominations. In addition to its recognition value and protection against counterfeiting, it also gives the Maple Leaf visual advantages. In Germany, the Maple Leaf is the undisputed no. 1 silver coin.
- American Eagle: The American Eagle silver coin has been issued since 1986. It is 999/1000 pure, making it less pure than the Maple Leaf. The Silver Eagle has the advantage of being backed by American quality control and the government's word (similar to the US dollar).
- The patriotic design with symbols such as the bald eagle, the US flag or the Statue of Liberty is known worldwide and is regularly updated with modern security features. It is the silver bullion coin with the highest circulation in the world and is only available in the 1 oz denomination. The American Eagle thus also offers excellent fungibility.
- Viennese Philharmonic: The first European representative on this elite list is the Viennese Philharmonic silver from Austria. Since its introduction in 1989, the ‘Phillies’ have established themselves as the most popular bullion coin in Europe. The motif, with its depiction of the traditional organ and the instruments of the orchestra that gave the coin its name, enjoys worldwide fame.
- The silver edition was first released in 2008. The one millionth coin was minted just one month later. Investors love the Vienna Philharmonic thanks to its fineness of 999/1000, the minimal issue surcharge and the value, which is close to the current silver price. It is only available in the 1 ounce denomination. The Vienna Philharmonic silver coin is also in demand in the USA, Japan and China. But it is mainly Europeans who are quick to snap it up and benefit from the short transport routes.
- Kookaburra: The Kookaburra coin was the first silver bullion coin from the famous Australian mint, the Perth Mint. Its release in 1990 marked the beginning of a new chapter in numismatic history: the Kookaburras were the first silver bullion coins to feature a different motif every year. This special feature quickly earned the coin a permanent place in many precious metal portfolios.
- The coin featuring Australia's national bird also stands out in other ways. It impresses with its filigree minting, fascinating three-dimensional effect and is issued in limited mintage (500,000 pieces in 2020). In addition, the Kookaburra offers good denominations, as it is available in sizes from 1 oz to one kilogram with a fineness of 999/1000.
- Australian Kangaroo: The Australian Kangaroo silver is another representative from Down Under, also issued by the Perth Mint. The gold coin had its first issue as early as 1986, at that time still with a gold nugget motif and the name Australian Nugget. Since 1990, it has been issued with a different kangaroo motif each year.
- The silver version was issued for the first time in 2015, with a limited mintage of 300,000. One year later, the annual issue began as an investment coin with a purity of 999.9/1000 in a million-strong edition. The motif of the Australian Kangaroo Silver does not change, the ‘Red Kangaroo’ is retained annually. Due to the low production costs, the silver kangaroos are particularly inexpensive and are traded at only a small premium to the spot price. You benefit from the outstanding minting quality and the worldwide reputation of the Perth Mint.
- Krugerrand: The Krugerrand is the oldest and probably best-known bullion coin in the world. The ‘South African’ was first issued in 1967. However, it was only on its 50th anniversary that the Rand Refinery decided to launch a silver edition. Since 2018, the Krugerrand silver coin has also been issued with the springbok antelope as its motif. It has met the immense expectations and can already be considered a complete success. It is issued in the 1 oz denomination with a fineness of 999/1000. As a Krugerrand, its maximum fungibility is assured.