Gold Kangaroo (Nugget): specifications, value and where to buy

Most bullion coins keep one design for decades. The Perth Mint's Kangaroo does the opposite: the 1 oz and smaller coins get a fresh kangaroo scene every year, while the purity stays fixed at 99.99%. The series began in 1986 as the Australian Nugget, and the 2026 coin carries a "40" privy mark to celebrate that anniversary. Below are The Perth Mint's specifications, the live gold value, an Australian dealer price and the tax position in four countries.

What are the gold Kangaroo's specifications?

Source: The Perth Mint, Australian Kangaroo 2026 1oz gold bullion coin page.

The "P" on the reverse is The Perth Mint's mintmark. The mint also adds a micro-laser-engraved letter to the reverse as an authentication feature, visible only under magnification. Learn more about the issuer in our Perth Mint guide.

What sizes does the gold Kangaroo come in?

1 oz face value from The Perth Mint; other face values and design notes from reference listings. The Perth Mint lists a 2026 1 kilo Kangaroo bullion coin.

What is a gold Kangaroo worth today?

The melt value is the worth of the gold inside at the live spot price, the wholesale market price. A 1oz Kangaroo's melt value is simply the spot price of one ounce.

Spot-based melt values, not dealer prices. Last updated: Loading. Try other amounts in the coin melt value calculator.

How much do Australian dealers charge for a Kangaroo?

The premium is what a dealer charges above the gold value. On Sunday 11 October 2026, with the market closed and spot at A$6,012.71 an ounce, our automated check read Ainslie Bullion's single-coin prices for the 1oz Kangaroo.

Premium = price / (1 oz x spot) - 1. Spot from gold-api.com (XAU/AUD). Prices shown on Ainslie Bullion's site on 11 October 2026; payment method surcharges not included. More dates: premium tracker.

The current-year coin cost only A$5 more than a mixed-year coin, a much smaller gap than we saw for the Britannia in the UK, where a new 2027 coin cost about 4 percentage points more than older years. We did not capture Kangaroo prices in other countries for this check, so we do not quote a premium for them. To weigh coins against bars, see gold coins vs gold bars.

See Kangaroo prices at Ainslie Bullion

How is the gold Kangaroo taxed in Australia, the US, UK and Canada?

Australia. The ATO's GST ruling GSTR 2003/10 defines precious metal as gold of at least 99.5% fineness in an investment form, and no GST is charged when a dealer sells it to you. The Kangaroo qualifies, so there is no 10% GST on top of the dealer's price. A 22 carat coin such as the Krugerrand does not qualify. Gains on sale are subject to Capital Gains Tax. Full details in our Australia gold tax guide.

United States. The Kangaroo's 99.99% purity is above the 99.5% bullion threshold in 26 USC 408(m), so it can be held in a gold IRA by the trustee, provided the custodian accepts it.

United Kingdom and Canada. In the UK the coin is VAT free but not CGT-free, because it is not sterling. In Canada, its purity makes it GST/HST exempt, just like the Maple Leaf.

Which years and designs of the Kangaroo exist?

Sources: The Perth Mint (2026 coin) and reference listings for the series history.

Because the design changes each year, some buyers collect one Kangaroo per year. For pure bullion buying, the year makes little difference: every 1 oz coin holds the same ounce of gold, and "various years" coins are usually the cheapest. The Perth Mint also issues the Perth Mint Lunar series, which follows the Chinese zodiac and usually costs more.

How do you spot a fake gold Kangaroo?

• Look for the micro-laser letter: modern bullion Kangaroos carry a tiny laser-engraved letter on the reverse, which you need a loupe or magnifying glass to see.
• Weigh it: the 2026 1oz coin has a minimum gross weight of 31.107 g.
• Measure it: up to 32.60 mm across and 2.95 mm thick. Tungsten-core fakes struggle to match both weight and size.
• Check the design for the year: each year has its own design, so compare the coin with The Perth Mint's image for that date. A design that does not match the year is a red flag.
• Test it: XRF (an X-ray scan of the surface metal) or ultrasonic testing at a dealer does not damage the coin.

More methods in how to tell if gold is real.

Where can you buy Perth Mint Kangaroos?

In Australia you can buy direct from The Perth Mint or from dealers such as Ainslie Bullion, ABC Bullion and Jaggards. Our Australia gold buying guide compares the main options. In the US, APMEX stocks Kangaroos, and in the UK they are sold by dealers including BullionByPost, though UK buyers lose out on CGT compared with a Britannia.

Pros and cons of the gold Kangaroo

For other first-time options, see our best gold coins for beginners or browse all gold coin guides.

Not financial advice. GoldVetted provides general information to help you compare options. It is not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Gold prices go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you pay. Check tax rules with the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.