Southern Cross Silver

Australia's Newest Bullion Coin from the Country's Only LBMA Refinery

The Southern Cross is a bullion collection launched in June 2025 by ABC Mint, a division of the Pallion group that also encompasses ABC Refinery, Australia's largest and only LBMA-accredited gold refinery. Conceptualised by Ross MacDiarmid AO, former CEO of the Royal Australian Mint, and illustrated by coin artist Tony Dean, the collection brings sovereign-mint sensibility to a private mint product.

The coins are struck as Niue legal tender with King Charles III on the obverse, manufactured from Australian-mined precious metals refined by ABC Refinery. The silver editions are struck in .9999 fine silver, a purity level that most silver bullion coins do not reach. The standard for silver coins is .999 (three nines); the Southern Cross matches the four-nines purity of the Canadian Maple Leaf, placing it at the top of the purity spectrum for silver bullion. The collection spans multiple formats including a 1 oz silver coin, 1 oz silver bar, 10 oz silver bar, and 1 kilo silver bar.

The collection is an open, unlimited edition, positioning it firmly as a bullion investment product rather than a numismatic collectable. Pricing follows the standard model of metal market value plus a modest premium, without the artificial scarcity of limited mintage runs.

Southern Cross Silver Specifications

The 1 oz coin features a high-relief finish that provides enhanced depth and detail in the design, particularly in the silhouette imagery of the kangaroo, emu, and Southern Cross constellation. Each coin is issued as Niue legal tender with NZD-denominated face values, carrying the King Charles III effigy on the obverse approved by both New Zealand and Buckingham Palace authorities.

The complete provenance chain is a distinguishing characteristic: Australian-mined metals, refined by ABC Refinery (LBMA Good Delivery accredited), and struck by ABC Mint in Sydney. Gold editions are available at .9999 purity in sizes from 1/10 oz to 2 oz, though this page covers the silver range.

Southern Cross Tax Treatment by Country

The Southern Cross coins are Niue legal tender with NZD-denominated face values. Niue uses the New Zealand dollar as its currency. The metal value far exceeds the nominal face value in all cases.

• Australia: Investment-grade silver coins meeting the relevant purity criteria are GST-exempt. The .9999 purity of the coin editions exceeds the 99.9% threshold. ABC Bullion confirms most of their bullion coins are sold GST-free. Profits on disposal are subject to CGT, with a 50% discount for holdings over 12 months.
• New Zealand: As Niue legal tender denominated in NZD, these may have specific GST treatment. Standard GST of 15% applies to most silver bullion in NZ, though fine silver at 99.9% purity or above in coin form is exempt.
• United Kingdom: Gold editions are VAT-exempt as investment gold (.9999 purity). Silver editions are subject to 20% VAT. Not CGT-exempt as they are not UK legal tender.
• United States: No federal sales tax. State exemptions vary; most states exempt precious metals purchases above any applicable threshold. Available through US dealers including APMEX and Bullion Exchanges.
• Singapore: Investment-grade precious metals are GST-exempt under the IPM scheme. The .9999 silver purity exceeds the 99.9% requirement.
• Canada: Investment-grade silver at 99.9% purity or higher in coin form is GST/HST-exempt.

Southern Cross vs Perth Mint and Other Australian Silver Bullion

The most direct competitor is the Perth Mint's silver bullion range, which dominates the Australian market. The Perth Mint Kookaburra and Koala are annual-design silver coins at .999 purity with strong global recognition. The Southern Cross differentiates on purity (.9999 vs .999 for most Perth Mint silver), Australian provenance through ABC Refinery's LBMA accreditation, and the high-relief finish on coin editions.

Against the Canadian Maple Leaf, which also offers .9999 fine silver, the Southern Cross matches on purity but is newer to market with less established global liquidity. The Maple Leaf benefits from decades of market presence, the RCM's micro-engraved security features, and near-universal dealer recognition. The Southern Cross appeals to buyers who value Australian origin and the LBMA refinery-backed chain of custody.

The kangaroo and emu design draws from the same Australian iconography as the Perth Mint Kangaroo and the Royal Australian Mint's products, but the composition, with both animals gazing upward at the Southern Cross constellation, is a distinctive take on Australian national symbolism. The two animals appear together on Australia's coat of arms and are commonly noted for being unable to walk backwards, symbolising forward progress.

For Australian buyers specifically, the Southern Cross offers an alternative to the Perth Mint's established range with the added distinction of complete domestic provenance, from mine to refinery to mint, all within Australia. The unlimited mintage ensures availability without the artificial scarcity premiums that limited editions attract.