1 oz Australian Kangaroo Mixed Years — 40th anniversary of the most frequently changed reverse in precious metals numismatics
The Australian Kangaroo is a bullion series that, since its debut in 1986, introduced a revolutionary principle to precious metals numismatics: annually changing reverse with a different kangaroo depiction. The "Mixed Years" variant means you receive a 1 troy oz coin of 31.103 g of 999.9/1000 fineness gold from any vintage from Perth Mint warehouses — typically from 2010-2023, sometimes older (1990-2009). Face value 100 AUD (Australian Dollars), full legal tender status.
The 1 oz Kangaroo Mix price is linked to the current gold price at the LBMA, with a market premium typically 2-4% over spot. This is significantly lower than for the current 2026 vintage (4-6%), because Mixed Years carries no collector premium for a fresh production year. For buyers acquiring Kangaroo as a precious metals allocation — Mixed Years is mathematically the best option.
Why 1 oz Australian Kangaroo Mix?
- 31.103 g of 999.9/1000 fineness gold (.9999, since 1990)
- Perth Mint — Australia's oldest still-operating mint (since 1899)
- 100 AUD face value — full legal tender status in Australia
- Annually changing reverse — collector variety in a single series
- Mixed Years premium 2-4% — cheapest 1 oz among classic 999.9 bullion coins
GoldInvest24 expert recommends — expert commentary
The Perth Mint was founded in 1899 by the British Royal Mint as a branch in Perth (Western Australia) with a specific purpose: refining Australian gold discovered in Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie during the 1890s "gold rush". After Australia gained independence in 1970, Perth Mint passed under control of the Western Australian government (Gold Corporation). This makes Perth Mint the only state mint of a single state (not a federation) — a unique structure among the world's national mints.
The Kangaroo series was introduced in 1986 under the original name "Australian Nugget" with motifs of various historical Australian nuggets. In 1989 Perth Mint decided to change the main motif from nuggets to kangaroos — Australia's national animal — while keeping the principle of annual reverse changes. In 1990 the fineness was raised from 999 to 999.9, matching the competition (Maple Leaf 1982, Vienna Philharmonic 1989). Since 1991 all Kangaroo vintages have 999.9 fineness and a kangaroo on the reverse.
The annual reverse change is a unique feature of Kangaroo among classic bullion coins. Maple Leaf (Walter Ott, 1979), Krugerrand (Coert Steynberg, 1947), Vienna Philharmonic (Pesendorfer, 1989) — all have unchanging reverses. Britannia has minor variations, but the classic Britannia figure remains. Only Kangaroo changes the main motif each year — collectors build collections of 35+ different reverses (from "Red Kangaroo" 1989 to "Western Grey Kangaroo" 2025). The Mixed Years variant allows economical Kangaroo purchases without paying collector premium.
Kangaroo — 40 years of annually changing reverse in precious metals numismatics
The annual Kangaroo motif change — introduced in 1989 — was a revolution in the bullion market. All earlier coins (Krugerrand, Maple Leaf, American Eagle, Vienna Philharmonic) had fixed reverses for deliberate reasons: design identity facilitates authenticity verification, builds universal recognition, reduces production costs (one die set for years). Perth Mint deliberately broke this standard — introducing a unique "collector-bullion hybrid" model.
The decision proved a commercial success. Already by 1995 the Kangaroo (still under the name "Australian Nugget" until 1989, then renamed) accounted for 15-20% of global 1 oz bullion coin sales. The annual motif change generates additional demand: collector-bullionists building collections of all vintages (typically 5-10% collector premium on complete 5-10 vintage sets), investors valuing each vintage's "freshness" (premium 4-6% vs Mixed Years 2-4%), and dealers offering annual issues as seasonal products.
Most valued Kangaroo vintages: 1991 (first vintage with 999.9 fineness), 2007 ("Kangaroo with Joey" — mother-with-young motif), 2012 (anniversary "25 Years of Australian Nugget"), 2024 (first with Charles III portrait on obverse). These vintages in full preservation may carry collector premium of 15-30% over metal value. Mixed Years typically contains non-collector vintages — between 2010 and 2023, with various kangaroo motifs but without special anniversary issues.
What to look out for before buying?
- Authenticity — weight 31.103 g (±0.03), diameter 32.1 mm, thickness 2.8 mm
- Vintage — Mixed Years means random year from warehouses, typically 2010-2023; specific vintage not selectable
- Packaging condition — Perth Mint protective capsule, no scratches
- Premium 2-4% — Mixed Years significantly cheaper than current vintage (4-6%)
- Storage — safe class S2 (EN 14450 standard), original capsule, dry location
Why buy at GoldInvest24?
- Kangaroo Mix price updated according to LBMA gold price
- All Kangaroo sizes (1/10, 1/4, 1/2, 1 oz) in Gold Coins category
- Competitive Mixed Years prices vs current vintage 2026 (savings 2-3%)
- Shipments over EUR 7,000 are insured, courier delivery 1-3 business days
Technical specification
| Parameter |
Value |
| Product type |
Bullion coin |
| Manufacturer |
Perth Mint |
| Location |
Perth, Western Australia |
| Mint founded |
1899 (Royal Mint UK branch) |
| Precious metal |
Gold Au |
| Fineness |
999.9/1000 (.9999, since 1990) |
| Weight |
31.103 g (1 troy oz) |
| Diameter |
32.1 mm |
| Thickness |
2.8 mm |
| Form |
Minted coin |
| Face value |
100 AUD (legal tender in Australia) |
| Vintage |
Mixed Years (random from warehouses, typically 2010-2023) |
| First minted in series |
1986 (as Australian Nugget, since 1989 as Kangaroo) |
| Designer (1986) |
Stuart Devlin (first designs) |
| Unique feature |
Annually changing reverse (since 1989) |
| Packaging |
Perth Mint protective capsule |
| Accreditation |
LBMA Good Delivery |
| VAT |
Exempt under Council Directive 98/80/EC |
Comparison table — 1 oz gold bullion coins (Mixed Years variants)
| Coin |
Mixed Years premium |
Current vintage premium |
| Kangaroo 1 oz Mix |
2-4% |
4-6% (2026) |
| Krugerrand 1 oz Mix |
0-2% |
1-3% (2026) |
| Maple Leaf 1 oz Mix |
2-4% |
3-5% (2026) |
| Vienna Philharmonic 1 oz Mix |
2-4% |
3-5% (2026) |
FAQ — frequently asked questions
What are "Mixed Years"?
"Mixed Years" means that Perth Mint (or the dealer) sells coins from various historical vintages without specifying the year. The customer receives a random coin from warehouses — typically from 2010-2023, sometimes older. All have the same 999.9 fineness and 31.103 g mass, so metal content is identical. They differ only in vintage and kangaroo motif on the reverse.
Why is Mixed Years cheaper than the current vintage?
The current vintage (2026) carries a "freshness" premium: Perth Mint applies a higher margin to newly minted production, and dealers add premium for "current" status. Mixed Years are coins from warehouses — without this premium. Difference: typically 2-3% lower premium (Mixed Years 2-4% vs current 4-6%). On 1 oz of gold this is EUR 40-80 difference.
Can I get a specific Kangaroo vintage when buying Mixed Years?
No. Mixed Years is a random selection from the dealer's warehouse. If you want a specific vintage (e.g., 2024 with Charles III or 2007 with "mother with joey" motif), buy it separately as a single issue. Specific collector vintages, however, carry 8-30% higher premium than Mixed Years.
Is Kangaroo 1 oz VAT-exempt?
Yes. The 999.9 fineness significantly exceeds the required minimum 995/1000 for bullion coins. VAT exemption applies under Council Directive 98/80/EC.
Kangaroo Mix vs Krugerrand Mix — which to choose?
Krugerrand Mix has lower premium (0-2% vs 2-4%), but lower fineness (916.7 vs 999.9). Fine gold content IDENTICAL (31.103 g in both). Kangaroo has annually changing reverse — collector variety. Choice: pure economics → Krugerrand Mix; collector variety and higher fineness → Kangaroo Mix.
Where can I check the current gold price?
The current spot price is available at GoldInvest24 — sections Gold price and Precious metals prices.
Choose the 1 oz Australian Kangaroo Mixed Years at GoldInvest24 — coin with 40 years of Perth Mint's tradition of annually changing reverse, at Mixed Years price (lower premium). Check the current gold price and compare with the Gold Coins category and Precious metals prices.
