Bird of Paradise Silver

Perth Mint's Short-Lived Silver Bird of Paradise

The Bird of Paradise series from the Perth Mint ran for just two years, 2018 and 2019, before being discontinued. Each year featured a different species of bird-of-paradise native to the Australasian region, struck in both gold and silver at .9999 purity. The silver versions were Australian legal tender at $1 AUD with mintages of 50,000 per year, modest by bullion standards but significant enough to serve as genuine bullion products rather than pure collectibles.

The four-nines silver purity is the standout technical specification. Most silver bullion coins, including the Britannia, Philharmonic, and American Eagle, are struck at .999 fine. The Bird of Paradise matches the Canadian Maple Leaf at .9999, placing it in a small group of sovereign silver coins at the highest purity standard. This distinction is not just cosmetic: it has practical implications for IRA eligibility in the United States and GST treatment in some jurisdictions.

The 2018 coin features Victoria's Riflebird (Ptiloris victoriae), the only bird-of-paradise species found on mainland Australia, restricted to the tropical rainforests of far north Queensland. The 2019 coin depicts the Trumpet Manucode, a species from New Guinea's lowland forests notable for its extended windpipe that produces a distinctive resonant call. Both designs show the birds in natural poses, rendered in the Perth Mint's detailed engraving style.

Since the series ended after only two issues, the 1 oz silver Bird of Paradise has seen secondary market premiums rise above typical Perth Mint bullion pricing. The combination of a two-year-only production run, 50,000 mintage per year, and the Perth Mint's collector following drives this premium. Pre-owned examples are available from some dealers, and a pre-owned 1 oz Bird of Paradise occasionally surfaces through margin-scheme dealers in the UK at reduced VAT costs.

Bird of Paradise Coin Specifications

The Perth Mint "P" mintmark appears on the reverse of all versions. The BU silver coins were shipped in protective plastic capsules, with tubes of 20 available for bulk buyers. The 2019 proof version came individually encapsulated with a numbered certificate of authenticity.

Both the gold and silver versions maintain .9999 purity, making this one of the few coin programmes where the silver matches the gold specification exactly. Most mints produce gold at .9999 but silver at .999, as the marginal cost of refining silver to the higher standard is proportionally larger relative to the metal's value. The Perth Mint's decision to use .9999 across both metals was a deliberate differentiator for the series. The 40.6 mm diameter on the silver version is standard for Perth Mint 1 oz silver coins, comparable to the Kookaburra and Koala, and slightly larger than the 38 mm range used by most other sovereign mints.

Tax Treatment of Perth Mint Bird of Paradise Coins

The Bird of Paradise is Australian legal tender under the Australian Currency Act, which determines its tax treatment in most jurisdictions.

In Australia, the coins are GST-exempt as investment-grade precious metal. The .9999 purity comfortably exceeds the .999 threshold required for GST exemption on silver. Standard CGT treatment applies, with a 50% discount for individuals holding the coins longer than 12 months.

In the United States, the .9999 silver purity exceeds the IRS Section 408(m) requirement of .999 for silver in self-directed IRAs. The coins are IRA-eligible as legal tender from a sovereign mint meeting the purity standard. Sales tax treatment varies by state, with the majority of states exempting precious metals.

In the United Kingdom, silver coins from the Perth Mint are subject to 20% VAT as they are not UK legal tender. Pre-owned Bird of Paradise coins may be available VAT-free through the margin scheme, as some UK dealers (such as Atkinsons) have stocked pre-owned 2019 Manucodia coins under this arrangement. Gold versions are VAT-exempt as investment gold. No CGT exemption applies for UK residents, as that benefit is limited to UK legal tender coins like the Silver Britannia.

Canada exempts silver at .999+ purity from GST/HST, and the .9999 Bird of Paradise exceeds this threshold. New Zealand exempts fine silver at .999+ from GST. Singapore exempts qualifying silver coins on the MAS-approved list from GST. Hong Kong imposes no sales tax or import duty on precious metals. In the EU, silver coins are subject to local VAT rates, with the margin scheme applicable for pre-owned coins in jurisdictions like Germany and the Netherlands.

Two Species, Two Years, Then Silence

The Bird of Paradise series was announced by the Perth Mint in 2018 as a new annual bullion programme showcasing the region's most spectacular birds. The Australasian region, particularly New Guinea, is the global centre of diversity for birds-of-paradise, hosting over 40 of the approximately 42 known species. The choice of theme was a natural fit for an Australian mint.

The 2018 inaugural coin featured Victoria's Riflebird, designed by an unnamed Perth Mint artist. The riflebird is depicted with wings spread wide and beak open, executing its dramatic mating display. The Victoria's Riflebird was named after Queen Victoria, a connection that resonated on a coin bearing Elizabeth II's portrait. The species is endemic to the Atherton Tableland in northeastern Queensland, making it the only bird-of-paradise found on mainland Australia.

The 2019 release featured the Trumpet Manucode (Manucodia keraudrenii), designed by Jennifer McKenna. The Manucodia is unusual among birds-of-paradise: it is monogamous, forms lasting pair bonds, and both parents share chick-rearing duties. Most birds-of-paradise are polygynous, with males performing elaborate solo displays to attract multiple mates. The Trumpet Manucode's name comes from its extended windpipe, which coils within its chest cavity like a brass instrument, producing resonant calls that carry through New Guinea's lowland forests.

The series was intended to continue with different species each year, but no further issues appeared after 2019. The Perth Mint has not publicly explained the cancellation. The result is a two-coin series with considerable unrealised potential, given that 40+ bird-of-paradise species remained unfeated. The short run has become a secondary market advantage: collectors value the series' scarcity, and both years command premiums above standard Perth Mint bullion.

Bird of Paradise vs Other Perth Mint Silver and Wildlife Coins

Within the Perth Mint's own catalogue, the Bird of Paradise competes with several ongoing wildlife programmes.

The Kookaburra (1 oz silver, ongoing since 1990) is the Perth Mint's longest-running silver bullion series, with annual design changes and much higher mintages. Kookaburra coins trade at lower premiums and have far greater secondary market liquidity. For buyers who want Perth Mint silver as a bullion holding, the Kookaburra is the more practical product.

The Koala (1 oz silver, ongoing since 2007) offers a similar profile to the Kookaburra with annual design variation. Both the Kookaburra and Koala are .999 purity, one step below the Bird of Paradise's .9999.

The Kangaroo (1 oz silver bullion since 2016) is the Perth Mint's core bullion coin, with a fixed design and the highest annual mintage of the Perth Mint silver range. It matches the Bird of Paradise at .9999 purity and includes a micro-laser security feature. For pure stacking, the Kangaroo offers the best combination of Perth Mint provenance and competitive pricing.

Outside the Perth Mint, the Canadian Maple Leaf is the most prominent .9999 silver coin globally. The Maple Leaf has unlimited mintage, Mintshield anti-tarnish technology, and near-universal dealer acceptance. The Bird of Paradise shares the Maple Leaf's purity distinction but cannot match its liquidity or premium efficiency.

The discontinued status and 50,000-per-year mintage place the Bird of Paradise between a standard bullion product and a collectible. Buyers who acquired the coins at original issue prices hold silver at .9999 purity with Perth Mint provenance and a built-in scarcity premium. For new buyers purchasing at secondary market prices, the premium over spot exceeds what standard Perth Mint bullion commands, and the trade-off between collectibility and pure metal value requires careful consideration.