The marsupial family is one of the most diverse species on the planet. Australia is home to three significant varieties of marsupials, and the largest of those is the kangaroo. It’s genus name translates as “large foot,” an appropriate translation given the large hind feet of the animal. The 2016 1/4 oz Royal Australian Gold Kangaroo Coin is available for purchase right now through JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
- New design from the Royal Australian Mint.
- Ships to you in a protective assay card.
- Contains 1/4 oz of .9999 pure gold.
- Issued a face value of $25 (AUD) by the Australian government.
- Includes a new kangaroo design on the reverse.
- Obverse bears the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
- Sovereign coin of the Australian government.
The kangaroo actually consists of four subspecies. As a marsupial, the kangaroo is the largest of a species that includes the continent’s beloved wallaby. The Australian government estimated nearly 34.5 million kangaroos living on the continent in recent years.
Kangaroo designs have appeared on Royal Australian Mint coins for years. This particular design first appeared on Australian coins in the early years of production at the Royal Australian Mint, most importantly the copper penny.
The reverse face of the coin includes the image of a massive, muscular kangaroo hopping across the outback. Engravings on this side of the coin include the nation of issue, year of issue, and the coin’s weight, purity, and metal content.
On the obverse of the coin you’ll find the right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Designed by Ian Rank-Broadley in 1998, this is the fourth-generation image of Her Majesty to appear on commonwealth coins from the United Kingdom and Australia.
The Royal Australian Mint is the official sovereign mint of the federal government. Opened in 1965, the Royal Australian Mint was the first facility in Australia to open that wasn’t opened as part of the British Royal Mint. Prior to the Royal Australian Mint’s opening, Australian coinage was struck by the Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth Mint.
If you have any questions about these coins, a JM Bullion associate would be happy to help you. Please feel free to call us on the phone at 800-276-6508. You can also connect with us online using our live web chat and email features.