Australian Koala Silver Coins

The Koala is the mainstay bullion coin series of the renowned Australian Perth Mint. The Australian Perth Mint has struck a new release of the uniquely Australian silver coin each year since 2007 with a new design of the koala annually. The changing design, purity, and quality of this coin series keeps collectors around the world anticipating its release every year. Each koala issue is manufactured to demand with no mintage limits.

This lens has at least one photo of each year of the one ounce bullion coins. Coins are also released in 1/10, 1/2, 5, 10 ounce, and 1 kilo along with proof and gilded versions. Although there are other coins splashed in here and there, I focused mainly on the 1 ounce bullion releases for this lens. One ounce Koala coins weigh 31.135 grams (1 troy ounce), are struck in 99.9% pure silver, and their diameter is 40.6 mm. I hope you enjoy the review.

The Australian Perth Mint's standard bullion silver koala issues come in 1 Kilo, 10, 1 and 1/2 ounce sizes. In addition, 2013 will be the second year for the Koala to be issue in a High Relief version. The design on the 2013 Silver Koala specimen coin features a representation of a koala sitting in the fork of a leafy tree, and includes the inscriptions 'AUSTRALIAN KOALA' and '2013 1 oz 999 SILVER'.

Released on Sept 4, 2012

The design for this (1oz) silver proof coin, consists of a representation of a koala lying on top of a tree branch. The coin includes the following inscriptions 'AUSTRALIAN KOALA', '2012 1oz 999 SILVER', and the initials of the designer Aleysha Howarth 'AH'.

In keeping with the pattern of previous high relief issues it is composed of .999 fine silver and is somewhat smaller and thicker than traditional bullion coins to allow for the high relief technique.

Special ANA Coin Show release

The design consists of a colored representation of a koala lying on top of a tree branch. The coins include the following inscriptions 'AUSTRALIAN KOALA', '2012', along with the weight of the coin and '999 SILVER', and the initials of the designer Aleysha Howarth 'AH'.

The Perth Mint employs its proprietary process of adding color to coins to enhance their appeal. The color is actually permanently sealed and bonded onto the coin. The colorized Koala coins provide a popular numismatic alternative to the bullion issues with far less of them being minted and placed in circulation. This special Philadelphia ANA release is limited to 5000 coins.

Mintage - 388,046 1 ounce coins

The 2012 Silver Koala introduces a sleeping Koala in a eucalyptus tree. The coin is issued in a distinct Perth Mint plastic capsule.

In addition a Berlin Privy mark version was released bearing the Berlin Coat of Arms. This coin was issued to commemorate the World Money Fair in Berlin. The 2012 release was designed by Aleysha Howarth.

MIntage - 910,480 one ounce coins

The 2011 Silver Koala highlight a mother and baby koala calmly on a tree branch. Design for this release was done by Elise Martinson. The coin comes from the mint in a standard Perth Mint coin capsule to protect it for generations to come.

In addition a Berlin Privy mark version was released bearing the Berlin Coat of Arms. This coin was issued to commemorate the World Money Fair in Berlin.

Video of three silver Australian Koala 2011 coins. Video shows 1 oz 2011 coin, 1 oz 2011 Berlin Privy coin and 0.10 oz 2011 coin.

Mintage - 233,531 one ounce coins

The 2010 Silver Koala features the Cuddly koala on a tree branch feasting on leaves. This years design by Wade Robinson was his first entry into the series. The traditional Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination are distinctly displayed on the obverse.

Mintage - 336,757 one ounce coins

The 2009 Silver Koala features the cute Australian icon sitting on a tree branch. The design is credited to Shevaun Buschenhofen. The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination are proudly displayed on the obverse.

Video presentation of popular silver coin 1 oz Australian Koala 2008 from Perth Mint.

Mintage - 84,057 one ounce coins

The 2008 Silver Koala displays a baby koala grasping tightly to its mother sitting on a tree branch. The design by was once again done by Shevaun Buschenhofen. The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the legal tender status of $1 are shown on the obverse of the 1 oz coin. 2008 is also considered the key date coin for the series and has appreciated quite substantially due to this fact.

Video overview of the popular 1 oz 2008 Australian Koala silver coin from the Perth Mint.

Grading of modern bullion has soared in popularity. The coin is graded for the quality of the strike and then encased (slabbed) in a protective plastic holder with a label stating the grade of the coin. Above is the rare 2008 1 ounce bullion version with a population of a meager 182 in a perfect NGC MS70 grade.

Mintage - 137,768 one ounce coins

2007 was the inaugural year for the Koala bullion series. The reverse depicts a koala clinging to the branch of a gum tree and was design by Shevaun Buschenhofen. The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination of $1 are shown on the obverse.

Nice quick video overview of the first release of the series.

Another feature that has grown in popularity as the graded coin market has expanded is custom labels and labels the identify the first of the coins that were struck. The theory being that the dies will produce a sharper impression on the first coins it strikes. Above is a first year of issue that does both. It is an Australian Flag label with the description "One of the first 5000 struck" in a perfect NGC MS 70 grade.

If you have ever wondered how rolls are prepared for shipment at the mint here is your answer. 20 individual 1/2 or 1 ounce coins are shrink wrapped together to form a continuous roll. The photo depicts a roll of one ounce 2012 silver Koala coins.

Only native in Australia, these large marsupials have been elevated to an iconic status on the world stage and serve proudly as symbol of their homeland. Here are few things about these amazing animals that you may not know.

Males are larger than females and Koalas in the north of Australia are about 30% smaller than their counterparts in the south.

Koalas fur feels great to the touch being very thick and soft.

They spend about 75% of their time sleeping.

Koalas have fingerprints that are very similar to human fingerprints.

Their preferred food is trees and primarily eucalyptus trees. Actually the quality of the habitat can be measured by the density of the trees.

A Koala consumes between 200 - 500 grams of leaves per day.

Koalas breed once a year with a gestation period of 35 days.

Males have an extremely loud mating call that can be heard up to one kilometer away during breeding season

A baby Koala is affectionately called a "joey".

At birth the "joey" is less than 1 inch long, blind, and hairless. It instinctively relies on its sense of smell and climbs into the mother's pouch.

Koala-like fossil remains have been found and dated back 25 - 40 million years ago.

If you are interested in learning more about Australian Kookaburra Coins just Click on the Kookaburra Coin in the photo above to link to a lens dedicated exclusively to them. All about Australian Kookaburras is just a click away...