Australian Emu Palladium Bullion Coin

Only minted from 1995 to 1998, the stunning Australian Palladium Emu is quite rare and one of the most coveted bullion coins in the world.

Four different mintings were done with variations on the Emu, a flightless bird, for each. The coins, both proof and bullion, are one troy ounce of 99.95% pure palladium with a face value $A40. The first limited bullion version sold 10 percent over the prevailing palladium price. Australia marketed the first proof or collector version at $A350 - the number of proofs minted 2,500. The Perth Mint suspended the Emu series when the price of palladium doubled in 1998. The maximum mintage per year was set at 2500 pieces in proof and 5000 pieces in BU quality, but not all coins were minted in the maximum allowed quantities.

In 1998, Russian supplies of palladium all but dried up leading to a world-wide shortage of the metal, with South Africa remaining as the only major supplier. Prices doubled in only a few months leaving the Perth Mint with little option but to suspend the Australian Palladium Emu series.

The obverse of the coins shows Queen Elisabeth II., the reverses are as follows:

1995 Proof Emu with eggs
1996 Bu Emu with eggs
1996 Proof Emu with two chicks
1997 Bu Emu with two chicks
1997 Proof Emu with pup
1998 Bu Emu with pup

The obverse was designed by Raphael Maklouf. The reverse was designed by Louise Pinder for the 1995-1996 proof and the 1996-1997 BU. Milena Milan was responsible for 1997 proof and 1998 BU.

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