Australian Silver Coins Value
Australian silver coins have gained equal popularity among silver investors and numismatists alike. The Australia silver coins value varies based on the coin, its specifications, coin grade and many other factors to take into consideration. Most Australian silver coins could be categorized either as silver bullion or collectible coins.
One of the most popular and iconic silver bullion coins minted on Australian Perth Mint are Silver Koalas that are struck in .999 silver finesse and available in four different sizes. This is very uncommon since most silver bullion coins come in one standard size, 1 oz. Silver Koalas could be purchased in sizes ranging from ½ oz, 1 oz, 10 oz and 1 kilo coins. The front image of the coin depicts the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the back features the National animal of Australia, the cuddly koala bear. Brilliant uncirculated (bullion quality) coin strikes were being offered at 18.25% premium over the spot price of silver as of Oct 31, 2013.
Another popular choice from the Australian silver coins market is Silver Kookaburra also available in four different sizes, namely 1 oz, 2 oz, 10 oz and 1 kilo coins. The finesse and premium costs are the same as in Silver Kangaroos but the coins enjoy smaller mintages. The coins feature timeless portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and Kookaburra birds native to Australia.
Other Australian silver coins minted in the Perth Mint in 1999 and featuring the lunar series based on the Chinese Lunar Years are highly collectible. Coins for a particular year are stamped with a different lunar animal; the ox, rabbit and tiger for example. These modern collectible silver coins from Australia are made from 99.9% pure silver and can be used as legal tender. The value of these silver lunar coins is high due to the limited issuing and is now becoming horded in collections. In 1993 vintage kangaroos were struck, but only 15,000 were placed into circulation. The face value of this coin is $1A, but the content of silver and the rarity makes these silver coins considerably more valuable.
Old coins from Australia include the unusual coins dubbed the Holey Dollar and the Colonial Dump. These mint cons were originally Spanish silver dollars used as currency in Australia. The governor of New South Wales ordered the centers of the Spanish silver dollars to be punched out to keep the coins from leaving the colonies. If you can find one of these old Australian silver coins that have been punched out your silver coin collection holdings will be increased by at least $12,500A.
Often coin dealers and collectors will turn their coins over to foundries to be melted down for the silver content. To determine the content in Australian silver coins look for the date on the coin. Those minted between 1910 and 1945 have 92.5% silver, coins from 1946 to 1963 are made from 50% silver, and the coins dated 1966 are 80% silver. Coins will always be worth more than the silver melt rate since coins are collectible and generally far more sought after for collections rather than silver content. Australian silver coins that circulated from 1910 to 1966 contain sterling silver. These silver bullion coins are unlike modern Australian coinage that generally contains no silver bullion unless they are minted specifically as collector coins.