1 oz Untamed Landscapes Silver Coin

ABC Refinery's Five-Coin Oceanian Silver Series

The 1 oz Untamed Landscapes is a .9999 fine silver bullion coin produced by ABC Mint, the minting division of ABC Refinery (part of the MKS PAMP-owned Pallion group in Sydney). Launched in August 2024 with the Saltwater Crocodile design, this is a five-coin series celebrating Oceanian wildlife, with each release depicting a different animal native to the broader Pacific region. Legal tender of Tokelau (a New Zealand dependent territory) with a face value of NZD $5, the series represents ABC Mint's first major multi-coin bullion programme and its entry into direct competition with the Perth Mint and Royal Australian Mint in the sovereign-issued bullion coin space.

The four nines purity is notable for a silver bullion coin; most silver issues from government mints are struck at .999. The Untamed Landscapes matches the Perth Mint Kangaroo standard and exceeds the Royal Australian Mint's typical .999. ABC Refinery is LBMA-accredited, and the series emphasises that all silver is "100% Australian ABC Bullion silver, responsibly and ethically sourced." The mintage is capped at 175,000 per design, placing it in a middle ground between the Perth Mint's higher-volume bullion (300,000+ for the Kangaroo) and lower-mintage collector pieces from the Royal Australian Mint (25,000-50,000).

The five designs are unified by the Southern Cross constellation, which appears on each coin alongside geographical and celestial elements referencing the South Pacific region. Reverse designs are by Tony Dean, previously associated with the Royal Australian Mint, and the obverse carries the Dan Thorne effigy of King Charles III.

Untamed Landscapes 1 oz Silver Specifications

The Five Designs

Packaging and Authentication

Packaging options range from individual blister packs for single coins to an ABC Collector's Box designed to hold the complete five-coin set. Bulk buyers can purchase rolls of 25 single-design coins or ABC Monster Boxes containing 500 coins of a single design. ABC Mint production draws on LBMA-accredited ABC Refinery sourcing, and each coin carries the refinery's branding as a mark of origin and authenticity. No proprietary anti-counterfeiting technology has been publicised beyond the standard quality controls associated with the mint and refinery accreditation.

Untamed Landscapes Tax Treatment by Country

The Untamed Landscapes' tax treatment is shaped by its status as legal tender of Tokelau (a New Zealand dependent territory) and its .9999 silver purity. Tax treatment varies significantly by jurisdiction.

Australia

Silver coins in Australia are subject to 10% GST unless they qualify as investment-grade precious metal. The GST exemption for silver requires 99.9% purity or above, in a tradeable form, stamped with the manufacturer's mark, and priced at the metal's spot price. The Untamed Landscapes at .9999 purity from an LBMA-accredited refiner meets these criteria, so it should qualify as GST-free. Capital gains are subject to CGT with a 50% discount for individuals holding assets longer than 12 months.

New Zealand

Fine silver at 99.9% purity or above is GST-exempt in New Zealand. The Untamed Landscapes qualifies. As Tokelau legal tender, the coin has a direct connection to New Zealand's territory. No capital gains tax applies in New Zealand, though the IRD may treat profits as income if bullion was purchased with intent to resell.

United Kingdom

Silver coins in the UK are subject to 20% VAT. The Untamed Landscapes is not UK legal tender, so it is not CGT-exempt in the UK. Capital gains are taxed at the standard rate (18-24%) with a £3,000 annual allowance. For UK buyers, the Silver Britannia offers the significant advantage of CGT exemption.

United States

The .9999 purity from a sovereign mint issuing authority (Tokelau, via New Zealand) should meet IRA eligibility requirements, though buyers should confirm with their custodian given that Tokelau is not a widely recognized issuing authority in the US market. State sales tax exemptions vary. Capital gains are taxed at the 28% collectibles rate.

Other Jurisdictions

• Canada: GST/HST exempt for silver at 99.9% purity or above.
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the IPM scheme for qualifying silver coins at 99.9% purity from recognized mints.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax.
• South Africa: Silver bullion subject to 15% VAT.
• EU: Silver subject to local VAT rates (19-27%).

Untamed Landscapes vs Perth Mint, Royal Australian Mint, and Other Oceanian Bullion

The most direct competitor is the 1 oz Perth Mint Silver Kangaroo, which shares the .9999 purity standard and Australian legal tender status. The Kangaroo's mintage (typically 300,000+) dwarfs the Untamed Landscapes' 175,000, giving Perth Mint coins wider dealer availability and tighter premiums. The Kangaroo benefits from the Perth Mint's global brand recognition and established dealer network, plus micro-laser security engraving. For Australian buyers focused on lowest-premium .9999 silver, the Kangaroo is the established choice. The Untamed Landscapes offers a five-coin thematic set with design variety and lower per-design mintage as its differentiators.

Against the Silver Kookaburra and Silver Koala from Perth Mint, the comparison is similar: established series with annual design changes, broader recognition, and deeper secondary markets. The Untamed Landscapes competes on its pan-Pacific theme (referencing 13 Oceanic nations and territories rather than being strictly Australian) and on its LBMA-accredited refinery provenance.

The Royal Australian Mint's wildlife series (Coat of Arms, Australia Zoo) typically have much lower mintages (25,000-50,000) and .999 purity. The Untamed Landscapes sits between the RAM's collector-oriented volumes and Perth Mint's higher-volume bullion approach, at a higher purity than RAM products. ABC Mint's backing by MKS PAMP (a global precious metals group) provides substantial refining and distribution infrastructure, though dealer availability outside Australia is still narrower than Perth Mint products.

Using Tokelau as the issuing authority is a common arrangement for private mints seeking legal tender status. Tokelau (population approximately 1,500) has an outsized role in the global bullion coin market through similar licensing arrangements with other mints, including Scottsdale Mint. This does not diminish the coin's bullion value or purity, but it may affect collector perception compared to coins issued directly by Australia or New Zealand.