Gold was discovered in Australia in the mid 1800's. Since then, Australia has become the second largest gold producing country in the world. In 2018, Australia produced over 312 tonnes of gold from it's mines.
The Perth Mint opened in 1899 after the discovery of gold rich deposits in Coolgardie and Kalgoorie. Gold miners would bring raw gold from the mines in Western Australia to the Mint where it would be refined and minted into gold coins. From 1899 through 1931 over 106 million Gold Sovereigns were struck at the Mint.
The Perth Mint is one of an elite group of top mints worldwide that produces pure gold, silver and platinum legal tender coins.Many of the coins produced by the Perth Mint are in high demand amongst investors and collectors. In addition to producing well known bullion coins, such as the Australian Gold Nugget, the Australian Kookaburra and Koala series', the Mint is also entrusted to produce legal tender coins for other countries.
Australia has a significant history with precious metals, particularly gold, which has played a crucial role in shaping the country's economy and development. The first recorded discovery of gold in Australia was in 1823 by James McBrien, a surveyor. However, it wasn't until 1851 that significant amounts of gold were discovered in New South Wales, sparking the Australian gold rushes.
The 1850s saw a series of gold rushes across different parts of Australia, including Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. These gold rushes attracted thousands of prospectors from around the world, leading to significant population growth and economic expansion. The gold rushes had a transformative impact on Australia's economy. They helped to establish the wealth that would lay the foundation for future economic development and infrastructure projects. The influx of immigrants also contributed to the multicultural fabric of Australian society.
Many of Australia's major cities, including Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane experienced rapid growth during the gold rushes. The newfound wealth led to the establishment of institutions, businesses, and cultural centers in these cities. Gold mining became an important source of revenue for colonial governments. Taxes and royalties from gold production contributed to funding infrastructure projects such as railways and roads.
While the intensity of the gold rushes declined by the late 1800s, gold mining remains an essential industry and the country continues to produce significant amounts of gold while remaining one of the world's top gold-producing countries. In addition to gold, Australia has also been a producer of other precious metals such as silver, platinum, and palladium. While these metals haven't had the same impact as gold, they are still mined and play a role in the country's mining industry.
Australia's mining industry, including precious metals mining, has continued to evolve. Technological advancements have led to more efficient mining practices, and the industry contributes significantly to Australia's exports and economy. Australia's history with gold and other precious metals has led to a recognition of their value as assets and stores of wealth. Precious metal investment, including buying gold and silver bullion, is popular among Australians.
Product | Dealer | Cheapest Price |
---|---|---|
2025 1 oz Australian Platinum Lunar Snake Coin (BU) | BullionMax | $1.00 |
2024 1 oz Kangaroo Platinum Coin | Silver.com | $1033.84 |
1 oz 2024 125th Anniversary Platinum Coin | Bullion Exchanges | $1024.70 |
2024 1 oz Platinum Perth Lunar Dragon Coin | BOLD Precious Metals | $1194.40 |
Platinum Kangaroo Perth Mint - Random Year | Money Metals Exchange | $1045.25 |