BEGINNER'S GUIDE

How to Start Collecting Australian Emus

The Emu offers the same design-changing appeal as the Kookaburra or Koala, with the added distinction of depicting one of the two animals on Australia's official coat of arms.

What to buy first

A common recent-year 1 oz coin — straightforward silver exposure with the bonus of unique yearly artwork and genuine national symbolism.

Budget expectations

Premiums over spot are generally comparable to other Perth Mint annual wildlife coins. Earlier, lower-mintage years may command a modest premium for design-variety collectors.

Where to buy safely

Standard bullion-buying guidance: dealers pricing against live silver spot, compared across at least two sources before a first purchase.

Common beginner mistakes

  • —Assuming the Emu has run as long as the Kookaburra — it only launched in 2018, decades after the Kookaburra's 1990 debut.
  • —Overlooking the emu's coat-of-arms significance, a distinction it shares only with the kangaroo among the Perth Mint's wildlife subjects.
  • —Expecting the same high mintage as the Kookaburra without checking actual year-by-year figures.

Ready for your first Emu?

Log it the moment you buy it — cost basis, photos, and today's value in one place, free to start.

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FAQ

Is the Emu a good alternative to the Kookaburra or Koala?

Yes — it offers the same yearly-changing design appeal from the same mint, with the added distinction of genuine national coat-of-arms symbolism.

Why is the emu paired with the kangaroo on Australia's coat of arms?

Both animals were chosen in part because neither can walk backward — a symbolic representation of national progress.