2 oz Royal Australian Mint Kangaroo Silver Coin

The 2 oz RAM Kangaroo in a Crowded Australian Market

The 2 oz Royal Australian Mint Kangaroo silver coin offers a larger format within a series that already distinguishes itself from its better-known Perth Mint counterpart. The RAM (Canberra) and the Perth Mint are separate government-owned institutions, and their kangaroo coins differ in specification, design philosophy, and availability. The RAM version changes its reverse design annually, depicting different kangaroo scenes each year, giving it collector crossover appeal that the fixed-design Perth Mint Kangaroo lacks.

At 2 oz of .999 fine silver, this coin occupies a niche format. The 2 oz weight became a mainstream silver bullion denomination largely through the Royal Mint's Queen's Beasts series (2016-2021), and the format appeals to buyers who want a larger canvas for detailed artwork without the substantial outlay of a 5 oz or 10 oz piece. The RAM Kangaroo at this weight provides that larger design space while maintaining the series' hallmark of annual variety. Each year's release becomes a distinct collectible within the broader bullion portfolio.

The RAM Kangaroo carries Australian legal tender status with an AUD face value, backing it with the full authority of the Commonwealth of Australia. Production volumes for RAM bullion are considerably lower than Perth Mint equivalents, which means tighter supply on the secondary market. Buyers who value annual design variety and relative scarcity over the consistency and deep liquidity of the Perth Mint product will find the RAM Kangaroo a natural fit.

RAM Kangaroo 2 oz Silver Specifications

The RAM uses .999 silver for its bullion kangaroo coins. The 1 oz version of the series upgraded to .9999 from 2014 onward, but specifications vary by denomination and year. The 2 oz format provides a larger striking area that accommodates more detailed depictions of the annual kangaroo design, with proportionally greater surface area for the scenes of kangaroo life that distinguish this series from the Perth Mint's fixed-design alternative.

Compared to the Perth Mint's 2 oz silver offerings (available in their Lunar and Koala ranges at .9999 purity), the RAM Kangaroo sits at .999 purity. This is a minor metallurgical distinction: at 2 oz gross weight, the difference amounts to approximately 0.006 grams of silver content, which is commercially insignificant. The distinction matters primarily as a specification comparison point for buyers who track purity as a quality indicator across products. The reeded edge provides both a tactile authentication feature and protection against clipping, following the convention established by sovereign mints worldwide.

The coin carries micro-engraved security features on modern RAM issues, providing machine-readable authentication beyond the visual design elements. Australian legal tender status means the coin is backed by the full authority of the Commonwealth government, with the AUD denomination struck into the obverse alongside the monarch's portrait.

Tax Position for the 2 oz RAM Kangaroo

As an Australian legal tender silver coin struck by a sovereign mint at .999 fine purity, the 2 oz RAM Kangaroo qualifies for favourable tax treatment in several jurisdictions, though silver remains more heavily taxed than gold in most markets.

• Australia: Despite being investment-grade silver (meeting the .999 purity threshold), silver bullion in Australia attracts 10% GST. Only gold bullion at 99.5%+ purity is GST-exempt. The legal tender status does not override this for silver. Capital gains tax applies on disposal, with a 50% CGT discount for individuals holding more than 12 months.
• United Kingdom: Subject to 20% VAT on purchase. The coin is not UK legal tender, so it does not qualify for CGT exemption. The margin scheme may apply on secondary market purchases of pre-owned examples, reducing the effective VAT to the dealer's margin only.
• United States: No federal sales tax. State-level exemptions vary. The coin meets the .999 purity threshold for potential IRA eligibility as a government-issued coin, though custodian acceptance of RAM products is less universal than for American Eagles or Canadian Maple Leafs.
• Canada: Silver coins meeting 99.9%+ purity from sovereign mints qualify for GST/HST exemption. The RAM Kangaroo at .999 meets this threshold.
• Singapore: Qualifies as Investment Precious Metal (IPM) under MAS criteria: silver at 99.9%+ purity, legal tender coin format. GST-exempt. No capital gains tax in Singapore.
• New Zealand: GST-exempt as fine silver bullion meeting the 99.9% purity threshold in coin form.