The Australian one kilo silver piece (abbreviated as 1 kg and designated with Ag for "silver") is a bullion coin format. Uniquely, in Australia there are two mints independently authorised to strike legal tender: the Royal Australian Mint (which also makes the country's circulating coinage) and the Perth Mint which only makes collector and bullion coins, as well as other bullion products.
The Australian Koala series by the Perth Mint comes in several sizes and compositions: 1 kg silver, 5 oz silver, 1 oz silver numismatic (proof, high relief) and 1 oz silver bullion.
The reverse design changes every year, always featuring a koala - one of the most famous and distinctive animals native to Australia. The silver kilo coins have a face value of 30 dollars, but this is only symbolic - as the bullion value of their precious metal content is much higher. The coins were .999 fine silver until the 2018 edition, which increased in purity to .9999 silver. The overall weight is slightly more than 1 kg, so that the pure silver content is exactly 1,000 grams (equal to ASW 32.151 troy ounces).
The Mint says: The Perth Mint’s 2019 Bullion Coin Program continues its 120-year tradition of offering outstanding craftsmanship, iconic artistry and assured purity with exquisite new designs struck on pure gold, silver and platinum coins. The 13th annual koala design portrays one of Australia’s most best loved marsupials sitting astride branches in a flowering eucalyptus tree. |