How to Identify the Australian Silver Kangaroo

What It Is

The Silver Kangaroo is a bullion coin produced by the Perth Mint, with the series beginning in 2016. It shares its kangaroo theme with the mint's long-running Gold Kangaroo but is struck in silver, and its reverse design changes from year to year. It rounds out the Perth Mint's trio of annually-changing silver bullion programs alongside the Kookaburra and the Koala, each built around a distinctive Australian animal.

Obverse Design

The obverse carries a portrait of the reigning monarch - Queen Elizabeth II on earlier issues, King Charles III on more recent ones - along with "AUSTRALIA" and the face value.

Reverse Design

The reverse depicts one or more kangaroos in a new pose or landscape most years, with "AUSTRALIAN KANGAROO," the weight and fineness, and the date included in the design.

Size, Weight, and Metal

Silver Kangaroos are struck in .999 fine silver, most commonly in a 1 oz size.

Mint Marks and Where to Find Them

A small "P" mintmark appears within the design field, identifying the Perth Mint.

Telling It Apart From Similar Coins

Compare the kangaroo pose and background to the known design for the coin's date. The Silver Kangaroo is distinguished from the Gold Kangaroo mainly by metal color and weight, and from the Kookaburra and Koala series by its different reverse animal.

Judging Condition at a Glance

Look for even satin luster and crisp fur and landscape detail; silver develops natural toning over time, and handling marks reduce eye appeal without necessarily indicating a problem with authenticity. A coin kept in its original mint packaging typically retains a bright, undisturbed finish, while a coin carried loose in a pocket or bag often shows rim dings and fine scratches across the open field around the kangaroo.

Authenticity Red Flags

Confirm the "P" mintmark is present, check that weight and diameter match official specifications, and be cautious of grainy or cast-looking surfaces instead of a sharp strike. Genuine silver is not magnetic, so any magnetic response is a red flag. Weighing the coin precisely and measuring its diameter and thickness against official figures for the year is a quick way to catch an underweight or oversized counterfeit before examining finer design details.