1 oz Australian Striped Marlin Silver Coin

A Single-Year Perth Mint Marine Wildlife Issue

The 1 oz Perth Mint Australian Striped Marlin silver coin is a one-year-only issue from 2020 featuring a distinctive breakout design where the marlin's bill and dorsal fin pierce through the circular coin border. Designed by Ing Ing Jong, the coin was produced as part of Perth Mint's broader marine wildlife programme but is not a recurring annual series, making it a finite product on the secondary market.

The coin was released simultaneously in three precious metals: a 1.5 oz silver version, a 1/4 oz gold, and a 1/3 oz platinum. A standard 1 oz silver version was also produced. All versions are legal tender of Australia under the Australian Currency Act 1965, bearing the "P" mintmark for Perth Mint. The silver carries a $2 AUD face value.

Perth Mint's decision to use a non-standard 1.5 oz weight for the primary silver version was intended to provide a larger canvas for the detailed marine design and to differentiate from the crowded 1 oz market. The 1 oz version discussed here is the standard-weight alternative that fits into conventional storage and pricing frameworks.

The Striped Marlin (Kajikia audax) is one of the fastest fish in the ocean, capable of speeds exceeding 80 km/h. Found throughout the Indo-Pacific, it is a prized catch for Australian sport fishers. The design captures the fish mid-leap at a sharp angle, with the characteristic tall dorsal fin and elongated bill prominently displayed. The three-dimensional breakout effect, where physical elements of the design extend beyond the circular border, is a technique Perth Mint reserves for select premium issues.

Striped Marlin 1 oz Silver Specifications

The .9999 purity (four nines fine) is a Perth Mint signature across its silver and gold bullion programmes, exceeding the .999 standard used by the US Mint and many other sovereign producers. This four-nines standard matches the 1 oz Canadian Maple Leaf as the highest commonly available silver purity.

The 5 mm thickness is notably greater than standard 1 oz silver coins (typically 2.5-3.2 mm), accommodating the three-dimensional breakout design elements while maintaining the standard troy ounce weight at slightly smaller diameter.

Tax Status for the Australian Striped Marlin

As Australian legal tender struck by the Perth Mint at .9999 purity, the Striped Marlin silver coin qualifies for the most favourable tax treatment available to silver bullion in most jurisdictions.

• Australia: GST-free as investment-grade precious metal. The .9999 purity substantially exceeds the 99.9% threshold required for the investment precious metals exemption under Australian tax law. Legal tender status from the Australian Currency Act 1965 provides additional qualification.
• United Kingdom: Subject to 20% VAT on import as non-UK silver bullion. Not CGT-exempt (only UK legal tender coins such as the Britannia qualify). The gold version would be VAT-free as investment gold. Available on the UK secondary market with margin scheme pricing.
• United States: IRA-eligible as sovereign-issued silver exceeding the .999 minimum purity threshold. Perth Mint's status as a recognised government mint satisfies IRS requirements. Sales tax varies by state, with most bullion-friendly states exempting precious metals purchases.
• New Zealand: Silver at .999+ purity in coin form from a sovereign mint qualifies for GST exemption as fine bullion.
• European Union: Silver subject to local VAT rates (17-27%). No investment coin exemption for silver in EU law. German margin scheme may reduce effective VAT on secondary market purchases.
• Singapore: May qualify for IPM GST exemption if the Perth Mint's Australian silver legal tender coins are listed on the MAS-approved list.