War in the Pacific Silver

Perth Mint's WWII Commemorative Bullion

War in the Pacific is a bullion series from the Perth Mint commemorating the Allied campaign in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. First struck in 2013, the series honours the partnership between Australian and American forces during the decisive naval and land engagements against Japan. All coins carry legal tender status backed by the Australian government.

The series encompasses two distinct reverse designs marketed under the broader "War in the Pacific" name. The Australian/American Memorial design depicts an eagle perched on a globe flanked by the American and Australian flags, inscribed "WAR IN THE PACIFIC 1941-1945." The Victory in the Pacific variant shows an eagle in flight carrying an olive branch with both nations' flags, inscribed "VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC 1945." A Battle of the Coral Sea variant has also been issued under this programme umbrella.

The silver coin uses an unusual 1/2 oz format rather than the standard 1 oz. This is a deliberate pricing strategy: the half-ounce weight keeps the total outlay lower than a full-ounce coin, making it more accessible, particularly for the US market where the series was heavily distributed. The trade-off is higher premiums per ounce of silver compared to standard 1 oz bullion coins. Gold versions are available in 1/10 oz and 1/4 oz fractional formats.

All versions are struck in .9999 fine silver (or .9999 gold), matching the Perth Mint's standard for modern bullion. The weight and purity are guaranteed by the Perth Mint, a government-owned entity under the Government of Western Australia. For buyers who want Perth Mint silver at a lower entry point than a full ounce, or who collect WWII commemorative bullion, the War in the Pacific fills a specific niche.

War in the Pacific Coin Specifications

1/2 oz Silver

Gold Versions

The silver version at 32.6 mm diameter is noticeably smaller than standard 1 oz coins (typically 38-40 mm), reflecting the half-ounce weight. Packaging in tubes of 25 and monster boxes of 500 follows the standard Perth Mint convention for bullion distribution.

Specific mintage figures for the bullion versions were not publicly disclosed by the Perth Mint, which describes production as "limited" without stating a number. Numismatic proof versions had declared mintages (5,000 for the 2013 1/10 oz gold proof). The undeclared bullion mintage suggests demand-driven production rather than a fixed collector limit.

War in the Pacific Tax Treatment by Country

As Australian legal tender coins from a government-owned mint, the War in the Pacific series receives favourable tax treatment in most jurisdictions.

Australia: Gold coins at .9999 purity are GST-exempt as investment-grade precious metals. Silver coins from the Perth Mint, despite being legal tender, attract GST because the exemption for silver requires 99.9% purity, which the .9999 coins exceed, but the GST exemption for silver in practice depends on the specific form and purpose. Investment-grade silver coins meeting the purity threshold should qualify for GST exemption.

United States: Both gold and silver versions qualify for inclusion in a precious metals IRA. The .9999 purity exceeds the IRS Section 408(m) requirements (99.5% for gold, 99.9% for silver). State sales tax varies, with roughly 35 states exempting bullion entirely. The series was heavily distributed in the US market.

United Kingdom: Gold versions are VAT-exempt as investment gold (meeting the 995 fine threshold). Silver versions attract 20% VAT. Australian coins are not UK legal tender and do not qualify for CGT exemption, which is reserved for Royal Mint issues.

Canada: Foreign legal tender coins with purity of 99.5% or above are GST/HST-exempt. Both the gold and silver versions qualify.

European Union: Gold versions are VAT-exempt under the EU Investment Gold Directive. Silver versions are subject to national VAT rates.

New Zealand: Gold at 99.5% purity and silver at 99.9% purity in coin form are GST-exempt. The .9999 purity of both metals qualifies.

Singapore: Gold and silver at the required purities qualify for the Investment Precious Metals GST exemption. Hong Kong: No sales tax applies.

Honouring the Pacific Theatre Alliance

The Pacific Theatre of World War II saw some of the war's most brutal fighting, from the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 through the island-hopping campaigns, the naval battles of Midway and Leyte Gulf, and the final defeat of Japan following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. The Australian and American military alliance in the Pacific was forged under extreme circumstances, with Australian forces playing a critical role in the New Guinea campaign and the defence of the Coral Sea.

The Perth Mint developed this series explicitly as a binational commemoration, an unusual approach in bullion coinage where designs typically celebrate national symbols rather than bilateral relationships. The "Australian/American Memorial" reverse design, first struck in 2013, features a stylised eagle on a globe flanked by both nations' flags, with the war years 1941-1945 inscribed below. The "Victory in the Pacific" variant shifts the emphasis to the war's conclusion in 1945, depicting an eagle carrying an olive branch of peace.

The obverse carries Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, used on Perth Mint coins from 1998. This portrait also appears on the Britannia, the Maple Leaf, and many other Commonwealth bullion coins from the same era, creating a visual thread across the English-speaking world's bullion programmes.

The series was designed with the US market specifically in mind. The 1/2 oz silver denomination and the fractional gold formats (1/10 oz, 1/4 oz) are sized for price accessibility, and the American eagle imagery on the reverse directly addresses US collectors and investors. Goldline, the US bullion dealer, held exclusive distribution rights for the silver version at one point, further confirming the US market focus.

Unlike Perth Mint series such as the Kangaroo, Kookaburra, or Lunar that change their reverse design annually, the War in the Pacific maintained a consistent design across production years. This reduces year-specific collector interest but makes the coin straightforward for stackers who prefer a consistent product.

War in the Pacific vs Other Perth Mint and Fractional Silver

The 1/2 oz silver format is the defining characteristic of the War in the Pacific within the silver bullion market. Most competing products are struck at 1 oz, making the half-ounce weight both a selling point and a limitation.

Against other Perth Mint silver bullion, the Kangaroo and Kookaburra series are both 1 oz coins with annual design changes and significantly higher mintages. They offer better per-ounce premiums and greater secondary market liquidity. The War in the Pacific's advantages are the lower total outlay per coin and the distinctive commemorative theme for buyers with an interest in military history.

The Battle of the Coral Sea coin, issued under the same Perth Mint WWII commemorative umbrella, is a close sibling with its own distinctive reverse. Buyers interested in the Pacific Theatre theme may collect both, though they serve the same market niche.

In the fractional silver space, the Royal Canadian Mint has produced coins in non-standard weights including the 1.5 oz format (used for the White Falcon and other Canadian wildlife coins) and the 3/4 oz format (used for the War of 1812 commemorative). The half-ounce weight gives the War in the Pacific a lower entry point than any of these, at the cost of higher per-ounce premiums.

For buyers who want Perth Mint silver at the standard 1 oz weight, the Kangaroo series is the more practical choice: unlimited mintage, annual design rotation, broad dealer availability, and competitive premiums. The War in the Pacific serves a different purpose, combining bullion value with a specific historical commemorative theme and a fractional weight that suits buyers building a position gradually or seeking gifts at a moderate price point.