Debuting in 1986 in proof format and in 1987 as bullion, Australian Nugget gold coins featured designs celebrating historic Australian natural gold nuggets - including Welcome Stranger, the largest nugget known to man. Each incredible find was artistically portrayed for the series by renowned designer and goldsmith Stuart Devlin, who also drew the magnificent ‘red kangaroo’ that became synonymous with the series and a key inspiration behind its later name change to the ‘Australian Kangaroo’.

 

Iconic design

The reverse showcases a 35th anniversary tribute portrays a representation of Stuart Devlin’s red kangaroo surrounded by symbolic rays of the Australian sun. As well as the number 35, the design includes a small representation of the 2,300oz Welcome Stranger nugget, unearthed in Victoria in 1869. The inscription AUSTRALIAN NUGGET 1986 – 2021 and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark also appear on the reverse.