Australian Platinum Koalas
Australian Platinum Koalas, a product of the Perth Mint, are no longer produced and are available only when they show up in the secondary market.
Readily available platinum coins/bars
Investors wanting platinum bullion have three options:
- the 1-oz Perth Mint Platypus
- the 1-oz Royal Canadian Mint Platinum Maple Leaf
- Johnson Matthey 1-oz platinum bars
All are readily available. The Perth Mint Platypus carries the highest premium, and the Johnson Matthey 1-oz bars have the lowest premium.
Australian Platinum Koalas
Koalas are .9995 fine, are legal tender, but sell at prices that reflect the value of their platinum content, not their nominal face values. Originally, Platinum Koalas came individually encapsulated in protective hard plastic capsules, but when they show up in the secondary market they often are no longer in their capsules.
Despite Australian Platinum Koala Bullion Coins being among the most beautiful platinum coins ever struck, they never really competed with American Platinum Eagle bullion coins in the US market. This probably was because The Perth Mint did not actively promote its Platinum Koala bullion coins in the US. Consequently, they can be purchased only when available in the secondary market, which is not often.
Platinum Koalas, like Platinum Eagles, are difficult to find
Platinum bullion coin investors who want Platinum Koala bullion coins often cannot get them. Actually, it is difficult to find Platinum Eagle bullion coins, despite Platinum Eagles being the most successful platinum bullion coins marketed.
After the financial crisis of 2008, the US Mint dedicated its production to its American Gold Eagle Bullion Coins and to its American Silver Eagles, both of which are in much greater demand than Platinum Eagles. Consequently, Platinum Eagles, like the Perth Mint’s Platinum Koalas, can be purchased only when available in the secondary market.
How to buy platinum bullion
If you would like to know more about platinum bullion investments or to ascertain prices, give us a call at 800-528-1380. We take calls 7:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. MST, Mondays through Fridays.