1 oz Royal Australian Mint Kangaroo Silver Coin

Royal Australian Mint Kangaroo Silver Coin

The 1 oz Royal Australian Mint Kangaroo is Australia's other silver kangaroo coin, struck in Canberra by the federal government's mint. It shares the same .9999 purity and A$1 face value as the Perth Mint version, but the RAM Kangaroo takes a fundamentally different approach: it changes its reverse design every year, depicting the kangaroo in a new scene with each release.

The RAM has produced kangaroo-themed coins since 1993 in proof and numismatic editions, but the modern bullion version launched in 2016 alongside a "Seasons Change" sub-series (2016-2019) that depicted the seasonal life cycle of the kangaroo across four consecutive years. Each year's reverse was created by a different designer, giving the series a distinctly artistic character that the fixed-design Perth Mint Kangaroo does not share.

Australia is unusual in having two government mints producing competing legal tender bullion products. The Perth Mint operates under the authority of the Western Australian state government and handles all bullion production, while the RAM operates under the federal government and traditionally focused on circulating currency. The RAM's entry into bullion has created genuine domestic competition, with the annual design changes serving as the primary differentiator.

Mintage is technically unlimited for the bullion version, though actual production volumes are far lower than the Perth Mint's Kangaroo. This lower production, combined with the annual design variation, means RAM Kangaroos tend to trade at slightly higher premiums than their Perth Mint counterpart. Completed year sets from the "Seasons Change" period carry additional collector premiums.

RAM Kangaroo Technical Specifications

The 40.0 mm diameter is slightly smaller than the Perth Mint Kangaroo at 40.6 mm, providing a straightforward way to tell the two coins apart. Both share the same weight, purity, and face value, making the diameter and design the only physical distinguishing features.

Earlier RAM numismatic kangaroo coins (pre-2014) were struck at .999 purity. The upgrade to .9999 fine silver came in 2014, aligning the RAM's standard with the Perth Mint and the Royal Canadian Mint. This higher purity places the RAM Kangaroo above the .999 standard used by coins like the Silver Britannia (pre-2013), the American Silver Eagle, and the Silver Philharmonic.

Seasons Change Design Timeline

The Seasons Change sub-series is the only four-year thematic arc within any major sovereign silver bullion series. Each coin was created by a different designer, giving the set artistic variety within a coherent conceptual framework. Completed sets of all four seasons carry a premium above individual coin values.

RAM Kangaroo Tax Treatment by Country

As Australian legal tender in .9999 fine silver, the RAM Kangaroo follows the same broad tax treatment as other sovereign silver coins, but with some nuances around CGT in the UK.

• Australia: Investment-grade silver at .9999 purity is GST-free. Capital gains tax applies on disposal, with the 50% CGT discount available for assets held longer than 12 months. The annual design changes could add complexity if individual coins appreciate differently based on collector demand.
• United Kingdom: Subject to 20% VAT on purchase. The CGT treatment is uncertain for foreign legal tender coins. UK HMRC generally exempts only UK legal tender coins (Britannia, Sovereign) from CGT, though some dealers have listed RAM Kangaroos as CGT-exempt based on broader legal tender interpretations. Buyers should seek professional tax advice. The 1 oz Silver Britannia remains the unambiguous choice for UK CGT exemption.
• United States: The .9999 purity exceeds the .999 IRA minimum for silver. The RAM Kangaroo should qualify for IRA inclusion on the same basis as the Perth Mint version, though availability through US retirement account custodians is less common. Sales tax varies by state.
• Canada: GST/HST exempt for qualifying silver coins. Standard capital gains treatment (50% inclusion rate).
• European Union: Silver subject to local VAT rates. Margin scheme available in Germany and the Netherlands for pre-owned coins.
• Singapore: GST-exempt as an Investment Precious Metal at .999+ purity. No capital gains tax.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax.

RAM Kangaroo vs Perth Kangaroo and Other Silver Coins

The most direct comparison is with the 1 oz Perth Mint Kangaroo. Both are Australian legal tender, both are .9999 fine silver, and both carry a A$1 face value. The choice between them comes down to design philosophy and pricing. The Perth Mint version uses the same reverse design each year, keeping premiums lower and providing consistency for stackers who want uniform coins. The RAM version changes designs annually, adding collector interest but at slightly higher premiums.

For buyers who value variety and the potential for individual year premiums to develop over time (as with the Chinese Panda), the RAM Kangaroo is the more interesting product. For pure metal accumulation at the lowest cost, the Perth Kangaroo is the practical choice.

Against the 1 oz Silver Maple Leaf, the RAM Kangaroo matches purity (.9999) but lacks the Maple Leaf's security features (Bullion DNA, MintShield). The Maple Leaf has far higher global distribution and tighter premiums. Against the 1 oz Silver Britannia, the RAM gives up UK CGT exemption and the Britannia's advanced security suite.

The "Seasons Change" sub-series (2016-2019) is the RAM Kangaroo's most distinctive feature. A complete four-coin set following the kangaroo through winter, spring, summer, and autumn carries a premium over individual coins, and this thematic cohesion is unique among sovereign silver bullion series. No other major mint has attempted a multi-year narrative arc in a standard bullion coin.