1/4 oz Australian Striped Marlin Gold Coin

Perth Mint's Marine Wildlife in Fractional Gold

The 1/4 oz Australian Striped Marlin Gold Coin is a single-year issue from 2020, part of the Perth Mint's marine wildlife programme. Designed by Ing Ing Jong, the coin features a striped marlin leaping from the water at a sharp angle, with its characteristic tall dorsal fin and elongated bill breaking through the circular border of the coin. This breakout design creates a three-dimensional effect that distinguishes it from flat-field bullion coins.

The Striped Marlin was released simultaneously in three precious metals: silver (1.5 oz), gold (1/4 oz), and platinum (1/3 oz). The gold version is struck in .9999 fine gold with a face value of A$25, making it legal tender of Australia under the Australian Currency Act 1965. A proof finish version was also produced alongside the bullion striking.

As a one-off issue rather than part of a recurring annual series, the Striped Marlin is scarcer on the secondary market than Perth Mint's open-ended programmes like the 1/4 oz Gold Kangaroo. The mintage cap of 75,000 across the gold version is moderate, providing enough liquidity for the bullion market while maintaining collector interest. Perth Mint's broader marine wildlife output includes the Great White Shark series (2014-2021), but the Marlin was a standalone release.

The Striped Marlin (Kajikia audax) is one of the fastest fish in the ocean, capable of speeds exceeding 80 km/h. Found across the Indo-Pacific, it is a prized catch for Australian sport fishers. The coin captures the species' explosive power in its leap from the water, with the designer's initials "IIJ" subtly incorporated into the marlin's tail.

Striped Marlin 1/4 oz Gold Coin Details

The obverse features Jody Clark's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing the George IV State Diadem Crown, with inscriptions including "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," the weight and purity specification, year of issue, and face value. The Perth Mint "P" mintmark appears on the reverse alongside the designer's initials "IIJ," subtly incorporated into the marlin's tail.

The breakout design is a hallmark of select Perth Mint issues, where elements of the artwork intentionally pierce the coin's circular border frame. On the Striped Marlin, the fish's bill and dorsal fin extend beyond the rim, adding visual depth that flat-field designs cannot achieve. This technique requires precise die-cutting and is one of the features that make the coin difficult to counterfeit convincingly. The frosted surfaces of the brilliant uncirculated finish enhance the three-dimensional effect of the leaping marlin.

A proof version of the 1/4 oz gold was also produced, offering a mirror-finish background with frosted relief elements for collectors seeking the highest presentation quality. The companion pieces in silver (1.5 oz) and platinum (1/3 oz) share the same design but in non-standard weights chosen to provide a larger canvas for the marine artwork.

Tax Treatment of the Striped Marlin Gold Coin

The Australian Striped Marlin is legal tender of Australia with a face value of A$25, issued under the Australian Currency Act 1965. Its .9999 gold purity qualifies it for investment gold exemptions in all major markets.

Australia

GST-free as investment-grade gold from a government-owned mint. Capital gains tax applies to profits, with a 50% CGT discount for assets held longer than 12 months.

United Kingdom

VAT-exempt as investment gold exceeding 995 thousandths purity. Subject to Capital Gains Tax on disposal, as it is not UK legal tender. The annual CGT allowance of £3,000 applies. UK buyers seeking CGT-free gold at this weight have the 1/4 oz Gold Britannia.

United States

The .9999 purity exceeds the 99.5% IRA threshold. Sales tax varies by state; most states exempting precious metals cover foreign legal tender gold coins. Federal capital gains are taxed at up to 28% as collectibles.

Canada, EU, and Asia-Pacific

GST/HST-exempt in Canada at 99.5%+ purity. VAT-exempt in the EU under the Investment Gold Directive. GST-exempt in Singapore under the Investment Precious Metals scheme. Hong Kong and New Zealand have no sales tax on qualifying gold bullion.

Striped Marlin vs Standard 1/4 oz Gold Coins

The Striped Marlin's primary distinction is its single-year production. The 1/4 oz Gold Kangaroo shares the same mint, purity (.9999), and face value (A$25), but is produced annually in open-ended quantities. For straightforward gold accumulation, the Kangaroo offers better availability, tighter dealer spreads, and broader market recognition. The Marlin trades at a premium above the Kangaroo that reflects its limited 2020-only production.

The 1/4 oz Gold Maple Leaf is the most liquid .9999 gold coin at this weight, with decades of continuous production and the Royal Canadian Mint's advanced security features. It is the benchmark for 1/4 oz gold liquidity. The Marlin cannot match it on resale ease or premium competitiveness.

Where the Marlin stands apart is design. The breakout effect, where the fish's bill and fin extend beyond the coin border, is a technical achievement that flat-field bullion coins do not attempt. The marine wildlife subject matter appeals to a different collecting interest than the national emblems and heraldic designs that dominate mainstream bullion. Paired with the 1.5 oz silver and 1/3 oz platinum versions, the Striped Marlin offers a multi-metal set for collectors who want a unified theme across gold, silver, and platinum.

For buyers weighing the Marlin against the 1/4 oz Gold Philharmonic or 1/4 oz Gold Britannia, the decision rests on whether the design and scarcity appeal justifies the premium over more liquid, lower-premium alternatives. The Marlin is a collector's piece backed by genuine bullion value, not a cost-efficient way to accumulate gold.