The Perth Mint introduced the Emu in 2018, continuing its established pattern of single-animal annual silver coins that began with the Koala in 2007, added the Wedge-Tailed Eagle in 2014, and the Kangaroo in 2016. The emu holds genuine national significance beyond just being another Australian animal: alongside the kangaroo, it's one of the two animals supporting Australia's official coat of arms, chosen in part because neither animal can walk backward — a symbolic nod to national progress. Like its Kookaburra, Koala, and Swan siblings, the Emu's reverse design changes every year.
A new buyer drawn to the Emu specifically for its coat-of-arms significance should know it shares that distinction only with the Kangaroo among Perth Mint coins — a detail that sets it apart from the Kookaswan, Koala, or Brumby, which don't carry the same national-symbol status. As with the Mint's other annually-changing wildlife coins, the core decision is the same: chase the full design-varied date run, or simply buy the cheapest common recent year for straightforward silver exposure.
The dates serious Emu collectors specifically chase — the rest of the run trades close to melt value.
First year of issue, following the Perth Mint's established pattern of single-Australian-animal annual silver coins (after the Koala in 2007, Wedge-Tailed Eagle in 2014, and Kangaroo in 2016) — the emu is, like the kangaroo, one of the animals on Australia's coat of arms.
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Start tracking freeAlongside the kangaroo, it's one of the two animals supporting Australia's official coat of arms — chosen in part because neither animal can walk backward, a symbolic nod to national progress.
2018 — continuing the Mint's established pattern of single-animal annual silver coins that began with the Koala in 2007, Wedge-Tailed Eagle in 2014, and Kangaroo in 2016.
Yes — it follows the same annually-changing-design approach as the Kookaburra, Koala, and Swan.