Article: Australian Opal & Gemstone Coins: A Journey Through Silver & Gold (2012–2026)
Australian Opal & Gemstone Coins: A Journey Through Silver & Gold (2012–2026)
Australian Opal & Gemstone Coin Collection
Discover the beauty of Australian opal and natural gemstones through this remarkable collection of Perth Mint silver and gold coins. From iconic Australian wildlife to the Lunar zodiac and Great Southern Land, these releases combine precious metals with some of Australia's most distinctive natural treasures.
Australian Opal Series – Silver
The original Australian Opal Series celebrated Australia's nocturnal wildlife, using genuine Australian opal as the centrepiece of each design.
| Year | Release | Weight | Mintage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Australian Opal Koala | 1oz Silver Proof | 8,000 |
| 2012 | Australian Opal Wombat | 1oz Silver Proof | 8,000 |
| 2013 | Australian Opal Kangaroo | 1oz Silver Proof | 8,000 |
| 2014 | Australian Opal Tasmanian Devil | 1oz Silver Proof | 8,000 |
| 2015 | Australian Opal Ghost Bat | 1oz Silver Proof | 8,000 |
The early Opal Series combined Australian wildlife with genuine opal inserts, creating one of Perth Mint's most distinctive collector coin concepts.
Australian Opal Lunar Series – Silver
Beginning in 2016, the Australian Opal Lunar Series brought the animals of the Chinese lunar calendar to life with genuine Australian opal.
| Year | Lunar Release | Weight | Mintage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Year of the Monkey | 1oz Silver Proof | 5,000 |
| 2017 | Year of the Rooster | 1oz Silver Proof | 5,000 |
| 2018 | Year of the Dog | 1oz Silver Proof | 5,000 |
| 2019 | Year of the Pig | 1oz Silver Proof | 5,000 |
| 2020 | Year of the Mouse | 1oz Silver Proof | 5,000 |
| 2021 | Year of the Ox | 1oz Silver Proof | 5,000 |
| 2022 | Year of the Tiger | 1oz Silver Proof | 5,000 |
| 2023 | Year of the Rabbit | 1oz Silver Proof | 5,000 |
| 2024 | Year of the Dragon | 1oz Silver Proof | 5,000 |
| 2025 | Year of the Snake | 1oz Silver Proof | 5,000 |
| 2026 | Year of the Horse | 1oz Silver Proof | 5,000 |
Each release is struck from 1oz of pure silver and features an opal centrepiece representing the year's lunar animal. The series has a limited mintage of just 5,000 coins per design, making it particularly appealing for collectors building the complete lunar
sequence.
Great Southern Land – Silver Gemstone Collection
The Great Southern Land collection explores Australia's landscape and natural character through beautiful gemstone and mineral elements.
| Year | Release | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Great Southern Land – Opal | 1oz Silver Proof |
| 2021 | Great Southern Land – Mother of Pearl | 1oz Silver Proof |
| 2022 | Great Southern Land – Blue Lepidolite | 1oz Silver Proof |
| 2024 | Great Southern Land – Chrysoprase | 1oz Silver Proof |
| 2025 | Great Southern Land – Snakeskin Jasper | 1oz Silver Proof |
| 2026 | Nocturnal – Great Southern Land Matrix Opal | 1oz Silver Proof |
| 2026 | Wonders of Australia – The Outback Opal | 1oz Silver Proof |
These releases expand beyond traditional opal, incorporating distinctive natural materials including mother of pearl, blue lepidolite, chrysoprase, snakeskin jasper and matrix opal.
Gold Opal & Gemstone Coins
For collectors looking for something even more special, Perth Mint has also produced premium gold releases featuring opal and other Australian-inspired gemstones.
| Year | Release | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Great Southern Land – Opal | 2oz Gold Proof |
| 2024 | Great Southern Land – Mother of Pearl | 2oz Gold Proof |
| 2025 | Great Southern Land – Blue Lepidolite | 2oz Gold Proof |
| 2026 | Wonders of Australia – The Outback Opal | 1oz Gold Proof |
| 2026 | Great Southern Land – Chrysoprase | 1oz Gold Proof |
These gold editions combine limited production with precious metal and natural gemstone elements, creating premium pieces within the wider Australian gemstone coin collection.
A Collection of Australian Natural Beauty
From the 2012 Australian Opal Series through to the latest 2026 gold and silver releases, Perth Mint's opal and gemstone coins offer a unique combination of precious metals, Australian themes and natural materials.
Whether collecting the complete Opal Lunar Series, Australia's wildlife designs, Great Southern Land releases or the limited gold editions, each coin tells a different part of Australia's story.
Written by mahi k
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