Victory in the Pacific Gold

WWII Commemorative Gold from the Perth Mint

Victory in the Pacific is a commemorative bullion coin series from the Perth Mint honouring the Allied victory in the Pacific Theatre of World War II and the partnership between Australia and the United States. First issued in 2013, the series carries Australian legal tender status under the Australian Currency Act 1965, with the Perth Mint's government-backed guarantee of weight and purity.

Gold versions are struck in .9999 fine gold, matching the purity of the Perth Mint's flagship Gold Kangaroo. Available in fractional denominations (1/10 oz at AUD $15 face value, 1/4 oz at AUD $25), the gold coins provide accessible entry points for buyers who want Perth Mint quality at lower per-coin outlay than a full ounce. The silver version uses a 1/2 oz denomination rather than the standard 1 oz, an unusual choice that makes it one of the most affordable sovereign-mint silver coins available.

The reverse design has remained consistent across all years and denominations: a bald eagle in flight clutching an olive branch of peace, with the Stars and Stripes on the left and the Southern Cross constellation on the right. The inscription "VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC" and the year "1945" appear alongside the Perth Mint's "P" mintmark. This fixed design (only the date of issue changes) makes the coin bullion-focused rather than collector-oriented, prioritising consistent identification over annual visual novelty.

The series is distributed through major international bullion dealers, with the WWII US-Australia alliance theme carrying particular resonance in the American market. Japan's surrender ceremony took place aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945, and Australia was one of the signatories to the instrument of surrender.

Victory in the Pacific Gold Specifications

Design Details

The reverse depicts a bald eagle soaring in flight, an olive branch of peace clasped in its talons. The Stars and Stripes flag appears to the left of the eagle and the Southern Cross constellation to the right, symbolising the US-Australian military alliance. The Perth Mint "P" mintmark is positioned within the design field. Inscriptions read "VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC" and "1945."

The obverse carried Ian Rank-Broadley's 1998 portrait of Queen Elizabeth II through 2022. From 2023, the effigy transitioned to King Charles III, consistent with the change across all Australian legal tender coinage. The edge is reeded on both denominations. Perth Mint quality assurance under the Australian Currency Act 1965 provides a government guarantee of the stated weight and purity.

Victory in the Pacific Gold Tax Treatment by Country

As Australian legal tender struck in .9999 fine gold, the Victory in the Pacific gold coins qualify for investment gold exemptions in all major markets.

• Australia: GST-free as investment-grade gold bullion (purity exceeds 99.5%). Capital gains tax applies, with a 50% discount for individuals holding the asset longer than 12 months.
• United States: IRA-eligible. The .9999 purity exceeds the IRS Section 408(m) minimum of 99.5% for gold. State sales tax varies; most states exempt legal tender gold coins.
• United Kingdom: VAT-free as investment gold (purity exceeds 995 fine). Not CGT-exempt because the coin is not UK legal tender. Subject to Capital Gains Tax at the individual's rate, with the annual 3,000 GBP allowance.
• Canada: GST/HST exempt as investment-grade gold (purity exceeds 99.5%).
• New Zealand: GST-exempt as fine gold bullion (purity exceeds 99.5%).
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the Investment Precious Metals scheme.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax.
• EU: VAT-exempt as investment gold under EU Directive 98/80/EC.

Victory in the Pacific vs Perth Mint Kangaroo and Other Fractional Gold

The Victory in the Pacific gold coins compete primarily in the fractional gold segment, where their Perth Mint provenance and .9999 purity set them alongside several strong alternatives.

The Perth Mint Gold Kangaroo is the flagship product line, with higher mintages, broader dealer availability, annual design changes, and strong global recognition. The Kangaroo is available in a full range from 1/10 oz to 1 kg, while the Victory in the Pacific focuses on fractional sizes only. The Kangaroo will consistently have tighter dealer spreads and faster resale. The Victory in the Pacific's fixed commemorative design and more modest production give it a distinct identity for buyers who want Perth Mint gold with a less common reverse than the ubiquitous kangaroo motif.

Against international fractional gold coins, the 1/10 oz Victory in the Pacific competes with the 1/10 oz Gold Maple Leaf (.9999 purity, radial lines and micro-engraving security), the 1/10 oz Gold Britannia (.9999 purity, UK CGT-exempt), and the 1/10 oz American Gold Eagle (.9167 purity, IRA-eligible by specific statutory exemption). All four are sovereign-mint legal tender coins. The Britannia has the UK CGT advantage; the Eagle has the strongest US market recognition; the Maple Leaf has the most advanced security features. The Victory in the Pacific's distinction is its commemorative WWII theme and Perth Mint heritage.

The WWII commemorative angle gives these coins appeal beyond pure investment. The bald eagle and Southern Cross design resonates particularly in the US and Australian markets, where the Pacific War alliance remains culturally significant. For buyers who view their gold as both an investment and a piece of historical commemoration, the Victory in the Pacific adds meaning that a generic fractional coin does not carry.