Australia was the first country in modern history to issue a 1 oz platinum coin. Approved in 1987 and manufactured in 1988, the Australian Platinum Koala coin is one of the most highly visible coins in the world, boasting a brilliantly eloquent design and superior finish. The Perth Mint has always been restrictive in minting their platinum coins, making the Australian Platinum Koalas relatively scarce. The Koalas are also beautifully designed, crafted and frosted platinum coins in circulation, highlighting the brilliance of the Koalas as unmatched among platinum bullion coins.
The Australian Platinum Koala 1 oz series was released in 1988 and became instantly popular with collectors because it borrowed similar features from other mints in creating a pure platinum coin which also became legal tender.
The front of the bullion coin displays Queen Elizabeth II, and the reverse displays the Australian Koala bear. The coin features frosted surfaces with shiny high points. The weight, date of manufacture and purity also appear on the reverse. The coin’s face value of 100 Australian dollars is displayed across the bottom. Every succeeding year, the Australian Platinum Koala features a unique design that makes the series even more exciting and collectible. Random year coins are hugely popular with collectors because you never know what unique design will come out.
The platinum koala coin has many advantages: It is acclaimed as a world standard because the Australian Platinum is guaranteed as to purity and weight by the minting authority. Dealers confidently place daily buy and sell bids on the coin which religiously follow the world’s prices of platinum. The Koala is guaranteed by a sovereign country. For those looking for a bullion investment, the premium over spot remains low because the Perth Mint produced a significant number of the coins. The pure platinum coin allows investors to diversify their holdings and figure value easily. There are no central bank reserves in Australia so this has enabled growth in platinum bullion investments.
