About Perth Mint
The Perth Mint is Australia's oldest operating mint, established in 1899 as a branch of Britain's Royal Mint. Today it's wholly owned by the Government of Western Australia, making it one of the most trusted mints in the world.
Unlike private refiners, Perth Mint's products are backed by a sovereign government. This provides an extra layer of confidence in authenticity and quality—important factors when building a silver position.
Perth Mint Silver Products
| Product | Type | Purity | Premium | IRA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Kangaroo (1 oz)Popular | Coin | .9999 | 8-12% | |
| Koala (1 oz)Popular | Coin | .999 | 10-15% | |
| Kookaburra (1 oz)Popular | Coin | .999 | 10-15% | |
| Minted Bar (1 oz) | Bar | .999 | 5-8% | |
| Minted Bar (10 oz) | Bar | .999 | 4-6% | |
| Cast Bar (1 kg)Popular | Bar | .999 | 3-5% | |
| Cast Bar (100 oz) | Bar | .999 | 2-4% |
Featured: Silver Kangaroo
Australian Silver Kangaroo
Perth Mint's flagship silver coin features a new kangaroo design each year, making it popular with both stackers and collectors. It's one of few government coins struck in .9999 (four-nines) fine silver.
- Purity: .9999 fine silver
- Weight: 1 troy oz
- Face Value: $1 AUD
- New design annually
Why Investors Like It
- Higher purity than Eagles (.999) or Maples (.9999 match)
- Government-backed legal tender
- Competitive premiums vs other sovereign coins
- Annual designs add collector interest
Cast vs Minted Bars
Perth Mint Cast Bars
Made by pouring molten silver into molds. Each bar has a unique, slightly irregular appearance with the Perth Mint swan logo stamped on top.
- Lower premiums (3-5%)
- Available: 1 kg, 100 oz
- Unique character each bar
- Serial numbered
Perth Mint Minted Bars
Stamped from rolled silver sheets with the kangaroo design. Uniform, pristine finish with sharp edges. Often in sealed CertiCard packaging.
- Higher premiums (5-8%)
- Available: 1 oz, 10 oz
- Uniform appearance
- Sealed security packaging
Authenticity Features
Perth Mint products include several security features to ensure authenticity:
- Swan logo - The iconic Perth Mint swan appears on all products
- "P" mintmark - Small "P" indicates Perth Mint origin
- Serial numbers - All bars are individually numbered
- CertiCard packaging - Tamper-evident cards with QR verification
- Weight/purity stamps - Clear markings on all products
IRA Eligibility
All Perth Mint silver products meeting .999+ purity are IRA-eligible when purchased new and stored at an approved depository. This includes Silver Kangaroos, Koalas, Kookaburras, and Perth Mint silver bars.
Where to Buy Perth Mint Silver
- APMEX - Wide selection of Perth Mint products
- JM Bullion - Competitive pricing
- SD Bullion - Good for bars
- Perth Mint (Direct) - Buy directly from the mint (ships from Australia)
- Kitco - Selection of bars and coins