1 oz Emu Gold Coin | The Perth Mint | 2026
The 1 oz Emu Gold Coin | 2026 is a limited Australian gold investment coin struck by The Perth Mint from 1 troy oz of gold of 999.9 fineness. The 2026 issue belongs to the popular fauna-themed bullion programme of the Perth Mint, with a maximum mintage of just 5,000 coins, making the 2026 release distinctly limited compared with the classic 1 oz Au Australian bullion issues.
The coin holds Australian legal tender status and features a micro-laser security feature that supports authenticity verification. At GoldInvest24 it is supplied in a protective capsule as standard, ready for storage as physical investment gold.
Australian Emu - the Perth Mint's fauna bullion programme
The Australian Emu series is part of the Perth Mint's fauna-themed bullion programme, in which the mint annually presents selected native species. The emu is one of the most recognisable birds of the continent and appears on Australia's national coat of arms. The annual gold and silver issues appeal to investors who want to combine high-purity bullion with a collectible reverse design that changes each year.
From a market perspective, the 2026 release stands out for its very low mintage of 5,000 coins. That is a fraction of the volumes minted for flagship 1 oz Au Perth Mint releases (such as the Australian Kangaroo), which can translate into a higher numismatic premium and additional collectible value on the secondary market. For investors building a portfolio of gold investment coins, the Emu 2026 fits as a limited-edition complement to mainstream bullion.
The emu as a symbol of Australia
The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the world's second-largest living bird and one of the most distinctive species of Australian fauna. It is found across most of the continent — from coastal regions to deserts, plains, forests and mountainous areas. Together with the red kangaroo, the emu features on Australia's national coat of arms, underlining its cultural significance.
Choosing the emu as a motif for a 1 oz gold investment coin is no accident. On one hand it is a strong, internationally recognised symbol of Australia; on the other, it allows the Perth Mint to refresh the reverse design each year. Every issue presents the emu in a new artistic interpretation, providing collectors with an additional argument alongside the pure investment content of 1 oz of fine gold.
Obverse of the 1 oz Emu Gold 2026
The obverse features the official effigy of King Charles III, designed by Dan Thorne — the standard the Perth Mint uses on its bullion coins after the monarch's accession. Around the portrait there are inscriptions with the king's name and the coin's denomination, which for the 1 oz Au Emu is 100 AUD.
The presence of the monarch's effigy underlines the official status of the issue and its connection to the legal system of the Commonwealth. The obverse is composed in a classic, easily readable style typical of Perth Mint bullion coins, prioritising lasting recognisability and easy identification over many years of storage.
Reverse of the 1 oz Emu Gold 2026
The reverse of the 2026 issue captures an adult emu in motion, running through an open paddock. In the background of the composition there is a barn with a windmill — a characteristic element of the Australian farmscape that reinforces the narrative around the bird's natural environment. The design also carries the inscription AUSTRALIAN EMU, the weight and purity markings (1oz 9999 GOLD), the 2026 year-date and The Perth Mint's P mintmark.
The coin features a micro-laser security feature in the form of a small letter laser-etched within the reverse design. The element is only visible under strong magnification and significantly raises the bar against counterfeiting. From a buyer's perspective, this provides additional authenticity assurance — particularly important for high-value 1 oz Au issues.
Investment gold and VAT
Gold investment coins that meet the conditions of the EU VAT Directive (2006/112/EC) are VAT-exempt in the European Union. The 1 oz Emu Perth Mint 2026, with its 999.9 fineness, legal tender status and recognised investment-coin format, falls into this group. For buyers, this is a clear tax advantage compared with investment silver, which remains subject to the standard VAT rate.
If you want to time your purchase, check the latest gold price charts and compare the current product price with the broader market situation.
Why buy the 1 oz Emu Gold Coin 2026?
- contains 1 troy oz of 999.9 fine gold (31.107 g of pure gold),
- struck by the respected The Perth Mint,
- limited 2026 issue — mintage of just 5,000 coins worldwide,
- includes a micro-laser security feature against counterfeiting,
- Australian legal tender (face value 100 AUD),
- obverse with the effigy of King Charles III (Dan Thorne design),
- reverse with an adult emu, barn and windmill,
- VAT-exempt in the EU as investment gold,
- each coin supplied in a protective capsule.
Comparison of popular 1 oz gold investment coins
The table below positions the 2026 Emu Gold against other popular 1 oz gold investment coins.
| Coin |
Country |
Gold purity |
Weight |
2026 mintage |
Profile |
| Australian Emu |
Australia |
999.9 |
1 oz |
5,000 |
Limited Perth Mint issue, micro-laser |
| Australian Kangaroo |
Australia |
999.9 |
1 oz |
significantly higher |
Classic Perth Mint bullion series |
| Maple Leaf |
Canada |
999.9 |
1 oz |
unlimited |
Bullion DNA, MintShield, broadest market recognition |
| Krugerrand |
South Africa |
916.7 |
1 oz |
unlimited |
Gold-copper alloy, decades of recognition |
| Vienna Philharmonic |
Austria |
999.9 |
1 oz |
unlimited |
Munze Osterreich, orchestra-themed design |
Technical specification
| Parameter |
Value |
| Product name |
1 oz Emu Gold Coin | The Perth Mint | 2026 |
| Manufacturer |
The Perth Mint |
| Country of issue |
Australia |
| Series |
Australian Emu (fauna programme) |
| Year of issue |
2026 |
| Face value |
100 AUD |
| Metal |
Gold |
| Purity |
999.9 / 1000 |
| Weight |
1 troy oz |
| Mass |
31.107 g |
| Obverse |
Effigy of King Charles III (Dan Thorne) |
| Reverse |
Adult emu in paddock, barn with windmill |
| Mintmark |
P (The Perth Mint) |
| Security feature |
Micro-laser engraved letter |
| Mintage |
5,000 coins |
| Packaging |
Protective capsule |
| Condition |
Brilliant Uncirculated |
| VAT |
EU exempt (investment gold) |
FAQ - 1 oz Emu Gold Coin 2026
What is the mintage of the 1 oz Emu Gold 2026?
The maximum mintage is 5,000 coins worldwide. This is significantly lower than the volumes minted for flagship 1 oz Au Perth Mint bullion series (such as the Australian Kangaroo), which makes the 2026 issue distinctly limited.
What are the purity and mass of the coin?
The coin contains 1 troy oz (31.107 g) of gold of 999.9 fineness — that is 99.99% pure gold. It meets the criteria of an investment-grade gold coin in the EU.
Is the 1 oz Emu VAT-exempt?
Yes. Investment gold coins that meet the conditions of EU Directive 2006/112/EC are VAT-exempt across the European Union. The 1 oz Emu Perth Mint 2026 (999.9 fineness, legal tender status) belongs to this group.
What does the reverse depict?
The reverse depicts an adult emu running through an open paddock, with a barn and windmill in the background — a characteristic element of the Australian farmscape. The design also carries the inscription AUSTRALIAN EMU, the weight and purity markings, the 2026 year-date and The Perth Mint's P mintmark.
What security feature does the coin have?
The coin features a micro-laser engraved letter within the reverse design. It is visible only under strong magnification and significantly raises the bar against counterfeiting, which adds confidence on the secondary market.
Who is the issuer of the coin?
The coin is issued by The Perth Mint — the mint of the Government of Western Australia, located in Perth. It is one of the world's largest producers of certified precious-metals products and enjoys international recognition.
Is the coin suitable for long-term investment?
Yes. 1 oz of 999.9 fine gold is a classic investment standard, and the legal tender status, micro-laser feature and low 5,000-coin mintage add an extra dimension. Any purchase decision should still take the current gold price and your individual strategy into account.
