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About the 2 oz Perth Mint Koala Silver Coin
The 2 oz Perth Mint Koala Silver Coin
The Perth Mint's Koala series has produced silver coins since 2007, with the 2 oz format available during the series' broader production period before the 2018 streamlining that reduced the range to 1 oz and 1 kg only. The 2 oz Silver Koala features an annually changing reverse design depicting koalas in various natural settings, backed by the Government of Western Australia's guarantee and carrying Australian legal tender status.
The Koala occupies a similar market position to the Perth Mint's Kookaburra series, both featuring Australian wildlife with annual design changes. The Koala was introduced 17 years after the Kookaburra (1990) and has a smaller collector following as a result. Post-2018, the standard mintage cap for the 1 oz Silver Koala is 300,000 (versus 500,000 for the Kookaburra), making the Koala slightly scarcer in its remaining denominations.
The 2 oz version is now a secondary market product, as Perth Mint's current Koala programme only produces 1 oz and 1 kg sizes. This means available 2 oz Koalas date from pre-2018 production years, when the series offered a broader range of denominations (1/10 oz through 1 kg). Pre-2018 coins are .999 fine silver; the 2018 purity upgrade to .9999 applies only to coins from that year onward. Collectors seeking the 2 oz Koala are buying from existing dealer inventory or the secondary market, not fresh mint production.
Perth Mint 2 oz Koala Silver Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2 troy oz (62.207 g) |
| Purity | .999 fine silver (pre-2018) / .9999 (2018 onward) |
| Face value | AUD $2 |
| Manufacturer | Perth Mint |
| Legal tender | Australia (Australian Currency Act 1965) |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Security | "P" mintmark |
| Production period (2 oz) | 2007-2017 (discontinued at this size) |
The Perth Mint's Silver Koala debuted in 2007 with a distinctive "shimmer" background technique on the inaugural coin. Each subsequent year featured a new koala composition depicting the animals in their natural eucalyptus habitat: koalas on branches, mothers with joeys, climbing, resting, and feeding. The annual design change gives each year its own collector identity, following the same principle that drives demand for the Perth Lunar series.
The 2 oz denomination was part of the pre-2018 expanded range that included seven sizes from 1/10 oz through 1 kg. When the series was streamlined in 2018 to focus on 1 oz (mintage cap 300,000) and 1 kg (mint-to-order, no cap), all intermediate sizes including the 2 oz were discontinued. This means any 2 oz Perth Koala available today dates from 2007-2017 production and carries .999 purity (the .9999 upgrade coincided with the 2018 rationalisation and applies only to the surviving denominations). Perth Mint coins carry the "P" mintmark identifying the facility, and the Government of Western Australia guarantees the weight and purity of all bullion products from the mint. Coins are typically supplied in Perth Mint protective capsules.
Tax Treatment for the 2 oz Perth Koala
Australia
The Perth Mint Silver Koala is GST-free as investment-grade precious metal under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999. Silver coins at .999+ purity from the Perth Mint qualify for the exemption. Capital gains tax applies on disposal, with the 50% CGT discount available for individuals and trusts holding longer than 12 months. There is no blanket CGT exemption for Australian legal tender bullion coins (unlike UK Britannias).
United States
The Silver Koala meets the .999 fineness threshold for IRA inclusion under the generic bullion provision of IRS Section 408(m). The Platinum Koala is specifically named as IRA-eligible in the same section, giving Perth Mint products strong IRA recognition. Sales tax exemption varies by state. Capital gains are taxed at the 28% collectibles rate for long-term holdings.
United Kingdom
Silver coins from the Perth Mint attract 20% VAT on purchase in the UK. The coin's AUD face value provides no UK tax advantage. Not CGT-exempt (only UK legal tender coins qualify for the capital gains tax exemption).
Canada
Gold coins from recognised mints at .995+ purity are GST/HST-exempt in Canada. Silver at .995+ purity in qualifying coin form also qualifies. The Perth Koala meets these thresholds. Capital gains are subject to the 50% inclusion rate.
2 oz Perth Koala vs Other Perth Mint 2 oz Silver
The most direct comparison is with the 2 oz Perth Lunar, which remains in active annual production. The Lunar series has stronger collector demand driven by the Chinese zodiac cycle, with Dragon years and early-series coins commanding significant premiums. The Koala's wildlife theme has a gentler collector following. Both carry the same Perth Mint guarantee and similar specifications, but the Lunar's ongoing production provides fresh supply each year while the 2 oz Koala is secondary-market only.
Against the 2 oz Royal Canadian Mint Maple Leaf, the Koala offers annual design variety that the fixed Maple Leaf design cannot match. The Maple Leaf counters with .9999 purity, superior Bullion DNA security, and the RCM's MintShield anti-milk-spot technology. For buyers who prioritise design interest and potential numismatic appreciation, the Koala has an edge. For those who want maximum security features and consistent brand recognition, the Maple Leaf is stronger.
The Koala's discontinued 2 oz production creates a natural scarcity dynamic. No new coins at this weight will be minted, which can support secondary market premiums as available supply diminishes over time. This contrasts with the Perth Lunar 2 oz, where annual production adds fresh supply each year. Collectors of the Perth Koala 2 oz are building a closed set with no future additions.
2 oz Perth Mint Koala Silver Coin: frequently asked questions
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Yes. The Perth Mint has featured a new koala reverse design on every annual issue of the silver Koala series since it launched in 2007. Each year shows koalas in a different natural composition. The series was streamlined from 2018 onward to 1oz and 1kg sizes only, both continuing the annual design-change format.
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No. Cleaning silver bullion coins, including the Perth Mint Koala, removes the original mirror finish and frosted surfaces, which reduces both aesthetic appeal and resale value. Silver toning that develops over time is normal and does not affect the metal's bullion value. Store coins in their original capsules or mint packaging to preserve their condition.
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Tax treatment depends on where you buy. In Australia, investment-grade silver bullion meeting the purity threshold is GST-free. In the UK, silver coins are subject to 20% VAT. In Canada, silver bullion is subject to GST at 0%. Rules vary by country and change over time, so check with a tax adviser for your specific situation.