Description
Proof Gold Australian Nuggets are collector
versions of the official gold bullion coins of Australia. Minted at the
Perth Mint, the gold content, weight, and purity of each Proof Gold
Australian Nugget is guaranteed by the government of Australia. Proof
gold coins are not currently minted in all seven sizes produced for the
bullion coins.
Design
The design on the reverse of these coins rotates
every year. Each year's new design for the proof coin is used for the
following year's bullion issue. The chart below lists the design these
coins have featured each year since their inception.
| 1-oz. Gold Australian Nugget Reverse Designs |
| Proof |
Bullion |
Design |
| 2003 |
|
2 Hopping Kangaroos |
| 2002 |
2003 |
Drinking Kangaroos |
| 2001 |
2002 |
2 Kangaroos & Australia |
| 2000 |
2001 |
Kangaroo - in grass |
| 1999 |
2000 |
2 Hopping Kangaroos |
| 1998 |
1999 |
Kangaroo - looking sideways |
| 1997 |
1998 |
2 Kangaroos |
| 1996 |
1997 |
Landing Kangaroo - 10th anniversary |
| 1995 |
1996 |
Kangaroo & Joey |
| 1994 |
1995 |
Red Kangaroo - looking |
| 1993 |
1994 |
Whiptail Wallaby |
| 1992 |
1993 |
Nailtailed Wallaby |
| 1991 |
1992 |
Commmon Wallaroo (2-oz. + red kangaroo) |
| 1990 |
1991 |
Grey Kangaroo |
| 1989 |
1990 |
Red Kanagaroo - jumping |
| 1988 |
|
Pride of Australia (nugget) |
| 1987 |
|
Poseidon (nugget) |
| 1986 |
1987-89 |
Welcome Stranger (largest gold nugget ever found) |
Minting Information
Proof Gold Nuggets undergo a specific
minting process using special dies. Lustrous coin blanks are fed
manually into the presses where they are struck multiple times to
ensure detailed coin images, which appear softly frosted and are raised
above a mirror-like background. Only inspectors wearing white gloves to
protect the coins from the oils emitted from their hands ever touch
these coins.
| Detailed Coin Information |
| Designer: Ian Rank Broadley (obverse), Reverse changes yearly |
| Coin Size |
Face Value |
Purity |
Gross Weight |
Diameter |
Thickness |
| 1-kg |
$3,000(Aus)* |
99.9% |
1000.100g |
74.50mm |
13.90mm |
| 10-oz. |
$1,000(Aus)* |
99.99% |
311.067g |
59.70mm |
7.90mm |
| 2-oz. |
$200(Aus)* |
99.99% |
62.214g |
40.40mm |
4.00mm |
| 1-oz. |
$100(Aus) |
99.99% |
31.035g |
32.10mm |
2.65mm |
| 1/2-oz. |
$50(Aus) |
99.99% |
15.5107g |
25.10mm |
2.20mm |
| 1/4-oz. |
$25(Aus) |
99.99%
|
7.7508g |
20.10mm |
1.80mm |
| 1/10-oz. |
$15(Aus) |
99.99% |
3.1103g |
16.10mm |
1.40mm |
| 1/20-oz. |
$5(Aus) |
99.99%
|
1.5710g |
14.10mm |
1.30mm | |
| Dates: 1986-present (1-, '-, '-, 1/10-oz.); 1989-present (1/20-oz.); 1991-97 (2-oz.); 1991-99 (10-oz., 1-kg) |
Mint: Perth
* In 1991, the 2-oz., 10-oz. and 1-kg nugget had face values of $500, $2,500 and $10,000 respectively. |
