
The Perth Mint introduced the Platinum Koala Series in 1988. The collection was among the first from Perth Mint to establish the concept of focusing on native species from the Australian continent with designs that changed each year. The Platinum Koala is, in fact, the first series that used this approach and would lay the foundation for other programs to come in the future, including the Silver Kookaburra and Silver Koala. Right now, 1997 1 oz Australian Platinum Koala Coins are available at JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
Each 1997 1 oz Australian Platinum Koala Coin come with a protective plastic capsule. The 1997 issue of the 1 oz Platinum Koala had a mintage cap of 100,000 coins, but Perth Mint reported selling a total of 41,153 coins. The 1997 release was a robust series that offered 1 kilo, 10 oz, 2 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, and 1/20 oz coins alongside the 1 oz platinum coin.
Koalas inhabit the eucalyptus forests and woodlands along Australia’s eastern and southeastern coastlines, from Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria to South Australia. These marsupials require specific eucalyptus species that provide both food and shelter, with different koala populations adapting to prefer particular varieties of the 600+ eucalyptus species available.
The obverse of 1997 Australian Platinum Koalas come with a depiction of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty is shown here in the 1985 effigy created by Raphael Maklouf. The image is the third-generation bust of the Queen from her reign and is considered a timeless depiction that shows the Queen in right-profile relief wearing the George IV State Diadem.
On the reverse of 1997 1 oz Platinum Koala Coins, you will find a depiction of a koala clinging to the branch of a gum tree. Koala habitat requirements are highly specialized – they need interconnected tree corridors for movement, appropriate soil types for the right eucalyptus growth, and specific climate conditions that support their preferred food trees.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. JM Bullion customer service is available at 800-276-6508, online using our web chat, and via our email address.
Tracking and insurance included on all orders

The Perth Mint introduced the Platinum Koala Series in 1988. The collection was among the first from Perth Mint to establish the concept of focusing on native species from the Australian continent with designs that changed each year. The Platinum Koala is, in fact, the first series that used this approach and would lay the foundation for other programs to come in the future, including the Silver Kookaburra and Silver Koala. Right now, 1997 1 oz Australian Platinum Koala Coins are available at JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
Each 1997 1 oz Australian Platinum Koala Coin come with a protective plastic capsule. The 1997 issue of the 1 oz Platinum Koala had a mintage cap of 100,000 coins, but Perth Mint reported selling a total of 41,153 coins. The 1997 release was a robust series that offered 1 kilo, 10 oz, 2 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, and 1/20 oz coins alongside the 1 oz platinum coin.
Koalas inhabit the eucalyptus forests and woodlands along Australia’s eastern and southeastern coastlines, from Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria to South Australia. These marsupials require specific eucalyptus species that provide both food and shelter, with different koala populations adapting to prefer particular varieties of the 600+ eucalyptus species available.
The obverse of 1997 Australian Platinum Koalas come with a depiction of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty is shown here in the 1985 effigy created by Raphael Maklouf. The image is the third-generation bust of the Queen from her reign and is considered a timeless depiction that shows the Queen in right-profile relief wearing the George IV State Diadem.
On the reverse of 1997 1 oz Platinum Koala Coins, you will find a depiction of a koala clinging to the branch of a gum tree. Koala habitat requirements are highly specialized – they need interconnected tree corridors for movement, appropriate soil types for the right eucalyptus growth, and specific climate conditions that support their preferred food trees.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. JM Bullion customer service is available at 800-276-6508, online using our web chat, and via our email address.