Product Description
Specifications
Product Overview
The 1980 Australian $200 Koala Gold Coin marked the beginning of Australia's $200 gold coin program and was issued by the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra. Struck from 10 grams of 22-carat (.917) gold, the coin contains approximately 9.17 grams or 0.2948 troy ounces of pure gold and carries an Australian legal-tender denomination of $200.
The reverse, designed by acclaimed Australian artist and goldsmith Stuart Devlin, features one of Australia's most recognisable animals – the koala – sitting among the branches of a eucalyptus tree. The obverse carries Arnold Machin's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
This uncirculated example is supplied in its original blue Royal Australian Mint pouch. As an original 1980 presentation item, the packaging may display signs of ageing.
Key Features
- Contains 10 grams of 22-carat (.917) gold
- Approximately 9.17 grams of pure gold
- Contains 0.2948 troy ounces of pure gold
- Issued by the Royal Australian Mint in 1980
- Australian legal tender with a denomination of $200
- Features Stuart Devlin's Australian koala design
- Features the Arnold Machin effigy of Queen Elizabeth II
- Uncirculated issue supplied in its original blue pouch
- First year of Australia's $200 gold coin program
Design & Craftsmanship
Manufacturing
The 1980 $200 Koala was struck by the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra from 22-carat gold.
Weighing 10 grams and measuring approximately 24.2mm in diameter, the coin combines a relatively compact format with a substantial gold content. The alloy contains 91.7% gold, giving each coin approximately 9.17 grams of fine gold.
This example is the uncirculated version originally distributed in the distinctive blue Royal Australian Mint pouch.
Design
Obverse
The obverse features Arnold Machin's second portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right and wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara.
The portrait is surrounded by the inscription identifying ELIZABETH II, AUSTRALIA and the year 1980.
Reverse
The reverse was designed by Stuart Devlin and features an Australian koala sitting in a eucalyptus tree.
The simple Australian wildlife design places the koala prominently at the centre of the coin, with the denomination TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS appearing below.
The Beginning of Australia's $200 Gold Coin Series
The 1980 Koala holds an interesting position in Australian decimal coin history as the first release in the Royal Australian Mint's $200 gold coin program.
Introduced in 1980, the new denomination gave the Royal Australian Mint a dedicated Australian legal-tender gold coin and established a format that would subsequently be used for a variety of Australian commemorative subjects.
The koala was chosen for the inaugural design, providing the new gold denomination with an immediately recognisable Australian identity. The Royal Australian Mint returned to the koala theme for several later issues, although the artwork changed during the series.
Both uncirculated and proof versions of the 1980 Koala were produced. The uncirculated version offered here was issued in a blue pouch, distinguishing its presentation from the separately issued proof coin.
Why Choose a 1980 Australian $200 Gold Coin?
The 1980 Koala combines physical gold with a particularly interesting point in Australia's modern numismatic history.
Unlike a conventional bullion bar, the coin carries an Australian legal-tender denomination and features original artwork created specifically for the Royal Australian Mint. Its status as the first $200 Australian gold coin issue also gives it a clear place within an Australian decimal coin collection.
For this example, the survival of the original blue pouch adds another element of period presentation that may appeal to collectors seeking coins with their original Royal Australian Mint packaging.
Condition & Original Packaging
This coin is supplied with its original blue Royal Australian Mint pouch.
As this is an original item dating from 1980, the pouch may display signs of ageing, storage or handling consistent with its age. Packaging condition can vary between individual examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gold is in the 1980 $200 Koala Coin?
The coin weighs 10 grams and is struck from 22-carat (.917) gold. This gives it a fine gold content of approximately 9.17 grams or 0.2948 troy ounces.
Is the 1980 $200 Koala a proof coin?
This particular product is the uncirculated version supplied in the original blue pouch. The Royal Australian Mint also produced a separate proof version of the 1980 $200 Koala.
Why is the 1980 $200 koala issue significant?
The 1980 Koala was the first coin issued in Australia's $200 gold coin program, making it the inaugural year of this Royal Australian Mint gold denomination.
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