History of the Perth Mint
The Perth Mint opened in 1899 as a branch of Britain's Royal Mint. Australia already had Royal Mint branches in Sydney and Melbourne, but the gold discoveries in Western Australia led to a mint being opened locally, in Perth.
For seven decades the Perth Mint remained under British control, and on 1 July 1970 it passed to the Government of Western Australia. In 2011 the Perth Mint produced a gold Kangaroo coin weighing about one tonne, which Guinness World Records recognised as the largest coin in the world.
The Perth Mint today
Australia's circulating coins are made by the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra, while the Perth Mint focuses on bullion, collector coins and refining. Its refinery processes most of the gold newly mined in Australia (about 71% in 2024-25, according to the mint), and it is accredited by the LBMA for both gold and silver. Gold, silver and platinum bars are available as cast and minted bars, and each bar has a serial number.
Bars are available in these weights:
Investors also look for collector coins struck at the Perth Mint. Current series include:
The range also includes commemorative coins, for example for the 75th birthday of King Charles III. The mint also makes sovereigns and half sovereigns in 22-carat gold (91.6% purity).
