Buy Australian Koala Silver Coins 

Shop genuine Australian Koala silver coins at BOLD Precious Metals, struck in .9999 fine silver by the Perth Mint since 2007. Unlike most annual-design silver bullion coins , the 1 oz Koala carries a hard mintage cap of 300,000 coins worldwide per year — a real, verifiable scarcity factor that sets it apart from its unlimited-mintage sibling, the Kangaroo. 

Each year brings an entirely new Koala design while the coin’s purity and government backing stay constant. We stock current and past-year 1 oz and 1 kilo coins as availability allows. Every coin qualifies for a Precious Metals IRA. Browse current inventory below, or read our full guide to understand what makes this coin different from other Perth Mint releases. 

Why Buy Australian Koala Silver Coins from BOLD Precious Metals 

• Authorized Sourcing 

We source Koala silver coins through verified Perth Mint distribution channels, not unverified secondary-market inventory.

 

• Live Spot Pricing 

 

Prices update throughout the trading day. You're buying at current market, not a rate set hours earlier.

• Multiple Years In Stock 

Current-year and select past-year coins available, giving date-collectors a real chance to build a run.

 

• Secure & Insured Shipping 

 

Every order ships fully insured, free on domestic orders of $199 or more.

 

• IRA Facilitation 

 

Our team guides IRA buyers through the custodian process, from first call to confirmed depository storage.

 

• Active Buyback Program 

 

BOLD buys Koala silver coins back at competitive bid prices based on live spot.

What Is the Australian Koala Silver Coin?

Introduced in 2007, the Australian Silver Koala is a .9999 fine silver bullion coin made by the Perth Mint as part of the silver Kangaroo and silver Kookaburra series of bullion coins. The Mint originally used .999 fine but, since the 2018 issue, it has adopted the standard of .9999 fine for its other bullion coins.

Every year the reverse of the coin is entirely different, with always a koala, always in a new pose or in a new environment, never repeated. The annual change is common to several other Perth Mint series, but the Koala is adding everything that the Kangaroo is not: a hard production cap.  

Why It's the Real Difference Between Koala and Kangaroo 

Between 2007 and 2015, the Perth Mint produced Koala coins to order, with no planned maximum mintage – the maximum mintage amount was only announced once the year ended. That's all about to change in 2016 though: the Mint has placed a hard cap on the number of coins they are allowed to mint in the year worldwide at 300,000 coins per year, which is still in effect today. 

The cap, by contrast, is a real difference from the Kangaroo that has no cap at all and is struck on demand as it arises in any given year.  The remaining points that are in common with both coins are .9999 purity, annual design changes and Perth Mint backing, but the mintage cap is the determining factor for those looking at buying one of these two coins. 

One reason the Koala has historically enjoyed a greater collector interest than an unlimited mintage coin is because of the capped annual production.The capped annual output is one of the reasons that the Koala has historically had more collector interest than an unlimited mintage coin, especially during years when production is limited by the 300,000-coin cap. 

The 1 kilo Koala, on the other hand, is still mint-to-order, with no fixed cap, as it's aimed at a smaller number of higher volume buyers instead of the wider retail market the 1 oz is geared towards. 

What the Perth Mint Currently Strikes 

The Koala family has grown and shrunk over the years. The coin was launched in 2007 with only the 1oz available. The Mint expanded the series in 2008 to include 1 kilo, 10 oz, and 1/2 oz coins, and added a 1/10 oz size in 2011. The mintage cap was introduced in 2016, and the 10 oz and 1/2 oz sizes were no longer added to the standard bullion line-up, which is now just the 1 oz and the 1 kilo coin – both of which are mint-to-order. 

There have been occasional reissues of fractional and larger sizes as Proof, High Relief and gilded issues, but only sizes of 1 oz and 1 kilo have been in continuous bullion production. 

Obverse Portrait History

As with other Perth Mint bullion coins, the obverse has undergone the same transition in monies as other monarchs have done.

2008-2018: Queen Elizabeth II effigy by Ian Rank-Broadley 2019-2023: Queen Elizabeth II effigy by Jody Clark 2024-Present: King Charles III effigy by Dan Thorne

The portrait on the obverse of the coin is for general visual appeal and has little impact on the price for plain bullion trading as it is with most modern bullion coins — the price is determined by silver content, purity and the annual mintage. 

Australian Koala vs. Australian Kangaroo — Which Should You Buy? 

Both are Perth Mint .9999 fine silver coins with annually changing designs and IRA eligibility, but they serve different buyer priorities.

Feature	Australian Koala	Australian Kangaroo
Purity	.9999 fine	.9999 fine
Annual Mintage	Capped at 300,000 (1 oz)	Unlimited
Design	New koala design every year	New kangaroo design every year
Standard Sizes	1 oz, 1 kilo	1 oz (fractional sizes vary by year)
IRA Eligible	Yes	Yes
Best For	Buyers who want a genuine scarcity factor alongside bullion value	Buyers who prioritize maximum availability and typically tighter premiums

If a hard production limit and stronger collector-driven resale potential matter to you, the Koala is the more deliberate choice. If you want the lowest-friction, always-available option with typically tighter premiums, the Kangaroo is usually the better fit. Many buyers hold both for different reasons within the same stack.

Australian Koala Silver Coins for a Precious Metals IRA 

The Koala meets the IRS's .999 minimum fineness standard for silver held in a retirement account at .9999 fine. Meets IRS criteria for being added to a Precious Metals IRA (Self-Directed IRA). The IRA-coins must be bought via an IRA custodian and kept in an IRS recognized depository. BOLD is directly connected with IRA custodians, and can take the buyer through the setup process.  

Related Products

• Australian Kangaroo Silver Coins
• Australian Kookaburra Silver Coins
• American Silver Eagle Coins
• Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Coins
• IRA-Approved Silver

Australian Koala Silver Coin FAQs 

What is the Mintage Limit on the Australian Silver Koala? 

Since 2016 the 1 oz Koala is limited to a total production of up to 300,000 per year, globally. Prior to that the coin was struck to order, with the final mintage quantity announced at the end of each year. The 1 kilo Koala continues to be a mint-to-order product, and will not be capped. 

What's the Difference between the Koala and the Kangaroo? 

They are .9999 fine Perth Mint silver coins, each featuring a new design and both are eligible for IRA. The difference lies in the production volume: The 1 oz Koala will have a production limit of 300,000 coins per year, whereas the Kangaroo has no production limit at all. When scarcity is a factor, it's the main reason buyers opt for the Koala over the Kangaroo. 

What Purity is the Australian Silver Koala? 

2018 and later dated coins are 9999 fine silver. Coins from 2007 through 2017 were .999 fine. The change in coin purity is not an issue with previous coins but a replacement that the Perth Mint implemented in its entire bullion selection. 

What Sizes does the Koala Come in? 

At present, the Perth Mint issues the Koala in two regular sizes; 1 oz (limited to 300,000 per year) and 1 kilo (mint to order). Temporarily, the series was offered in 10 oz and 1/2 oz sizes from 2008 to 2016 and a 1/10 oz size in 2011, but none of these sizes are currently in regular production. 

Is the Australian Koala Silver Coin IRA Eligible? 

Yes. It is .9999 fine which is higher than the IRS minimum standard of .999 for silver stored in retirement accounts. It needs to be bought within an individual retirement account via an individual retirement account custodian and be deposited in an authorized depository. 

Why does the Koala's Design Change Every Year? 

Since the series began in 2007, the Perth Mint has followed the same design ethos as in its Kangaroo and Kookaburra series with a completely new koala design each year. It has no impact on silver content or silver purity, and is a conscious attempt to appeal to collectors as an addition to the coin's bullion value. 

Who is Currently on the Obverse of the Australian Koala? 

Since 2024, the obverse features King Charles III, designed by Dan Thorne. From 2019 to 2023 the design is that of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark, while the 2008–2018 coins have Queen Elizabeth II's previous design by Ian Rank-Broadley.