BEGINNER'S GUIDE

How to Start Collecting Australian Silver Kangaroos

The Silver Kangaroo appeals to buyers who specifically want higher silver purity (.9999) over the more common .999 standard — a straightforward reason to buy that doesn't require caring about design variety or collecting history.

What to buy first

Any common recent-year 1 oz coin — since the design hasn't meaningfully changed since 2016, there's no year-specific decision to make the way there is with the Kookaburra or Panda.

Budget expectations

Premiums over spot are generally comparable to, sometimes slightly above, other major 1 oz silver bullion coins, reflecting the modest extra cost of refining to .9999 rather than .999 purity.

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

  • —Expecting year-to-year design variety the way the Kookaburra offers — the Silver Kangaroo's design has stayed relatively consistent since launch.
  • —Overlooking the purity difference when comparing its price to a .999 fine competitor — a small but real difference in actual silver content.
  • —Confusing this coin's 2016 launch with the much older 1987 Gold Kangaroo — they're related by name and mint, not by history.

Ready for your first Silver Kangaroo?

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

Start tracking free

FAQ

Is the Silver Kangaroo worth the extra purity over a .999 coin?

That depends on your priorities — the purity difference is real but modest, and comes at a correspondingly modest premium. Buyers who specifically value maximum purity tend to prefer it; buyers focused purely on lowest premium may not see it as worth the difference.

Is the Silver Kangaroo a good first Perth Mint coin?

Yes — it's straightforward, high-purity, and doesn't require any design-era or year-specific research the way some other Perth Mint series do.