War in the Pacific Gold

Perth Mint Gold Commemorating the Pacific Campaign

The War in the Pacific series from the Perth Mint is one of the few bullion coin programmes that commemorates a specific wartime alliance rather than a national symbol. Issued from 2013, these coins honour the partnership between Australian and American forces during the Pacific Theatre of World War II, from the 1941 entry into the war through to the 1945 Japanese surrender. The gold versions are struck in .9999 fine gold and carry Australian legal tender status, backed by the Government of Western Australia.

Two distinct reverse designs circulate under the broader War in the Pacific umbrella. The "Australian/American Memorial" design features a stylised eagle perched atop a globe, flanked by American and Australian flags, with the inscription "WAR IN THE PACIFIC 1941-1945." The "Victory in the Pacific" variant shows an American eagle in flight clutching an olive branch, referencing the 1945 surrender. Both designs share Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. The binational symbolism is unusual in bullion coinage, where designs almost universally celebrate a single country's heritage.

Gold is available in fractional sizes, with the 1/10 oz gold coin carrying a $15 AUD face value. A 1/4 oz gold version also exists at $25 AUD face value. These fractional weights keep the entry price accessible, and the .9999 purity matches the standard set by the Perth Mint's flagship gold Kangaroo series. The consistent, non-rotating design means each year's coin is essentially interchangeable for bullion purposes, removing the year-specific premiums that affect series like the gold Lunar.

War in the Pacific Gold Coin Specifications

Both sizes are struck to the same .9999 fine gold standard used across the Perth Mint's bullion range. The 1/10 oz coin at 16.1 mm diameter is compact enough for easy storage in standard coin capsules and tubes. Weight and purity are guaranteed by the Perth Mint, a government-owned entity under the State Government of Western Australia, providing the same institutional backing as the Kangaroo and Kookaburra series.

No specific advanced anti-counterfeiting features have been documented for this series beyond standard Perth Mint production quality. The coins do not carry micro-laser engraving, a feature the Perth Mint introduced on later bullion releases.

Tax Treatment for the Gold War in the Pacific

As .9999 fine gold coins with Australian legal tender status, the War in the Pacific gold coins benefit from investment gold tax exemptions in most major markets. The high purity comfortably exceeds the thresholds set by all major jurisdictions.

• United Kingdom: VAT-exempt as investment gold (purity exceeds the 995 thousandths threshold under HMRC rules). These are not UK legal tender, so they are not exempt from Capital Gains Tax. Any gain on disposal is subject to CGT at the individual's rate (18% basic, 24% higher) after the annual GBP 3,000 allowance. UK investors seeking CGT exemption would need to choose gold Britannias or Sovereigns instead.
• United States: No federal sales tax on bullion. State sales tax varies, with approximately 35 states fully exempting precious metals. The .9999 purity qualifies these coins for inclusion in a self-directed Precious Metals IRA under Section 408(m), which requires gold of 99.5% or higher purity from an approved source. Capital gains on disposal are taxed at the collectibles rate of up to 28% for holdings over one year.
• Canada: GST/HST-exempt as investment-grade gold bullion with purity exceeding the 99.5% threshold under the Excise Tax Act. Capital gains are taxable at a 50% inclusion rate (66.67% for gains above CAD 250,000 annually from June 2024).
• Australia: GST-free as investment-grade gold (99.5%+ purity) under the GST Act 1999. Capital gains subject to CGT, with a 50% discount for individuals holding longer than 12 months.

War in the Pacific vs Other Perth Mint Gold Coins

The War in the Pacific occupies a niche position within the Perth Mint's gold bullion range. Its commemorative theme sets it apart from the mint's wildlife-focused flagship series, but it shares the same .9999 purity and government backing that buyers expect from Perth Mint products.

The most direct comparison is with the gold Kangaroo, which is the Perth Mint's primary bullion coin. The Kangaroo is available across a wider range of weights (1/10 oz through 1 oz and beyond), changes its reverse design annually, and trades in much higher volumes. For buyers focused on liquidity and tight buy-sell spreads, the Kangaroo is the stronger choice. The War in the Pacific's fixed design means it lacks the year-specific collector interest that annual-change series generate, but it also means no year commands a premium over another.

Against the Perth Mint's other commemorative gold offerings, including the Wedge-Tailed Eagle and Lunar series, the War in the Pacific typically trades at more modest premiums. The Wedge-Tailed Eagle benefits from the John Mercanti connection and capped mintages that generate collector demand. The Lunar series, with its 12-year zodiac cycle, has a built-in set-completion incentive that the War in the Pacific does not.

For buyers specifically interested in WWII commemorative bullion, the War in the Pacific competes with the Perth Mint's Battle of the Coral Sea coin, which sits under the same thematic umbrella. The two share similar specifications and pricing, with the choice coming down to design preference. The binational symbolism of the War in the Pacific, honouring both Australian and American contributions, gives it particular appeal in the US market, where the connection to the Pacific campaign carries historical resonance.