40th Anniversary of the Australian Nugget Gold Coin Program 2026 1oz Silver Proof Gilded Coin

Struck from 1oz of 99.99% pure silver with 24-carat gold gilding, this remarkable coin commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Australian Nugget Coin Program produced by The Perth Mint.

Golden legacy

The Australian Nugget was the first legal tender gold coin program to be manufactured by The Perth Mint since the completion of sovereign production in 1931. 
Debuting in 1986, the coins were struck in four denominations with artistic representations celebrating historic Australian natural gold nuggets by world-renowned Australian goldsmith and numismatic designer Stuart Devlin.

Welcome Stranger design

Pulled from the archives, the coin’s reverse showcases a design Devlin completed for the original program—yet was never released on a coin. The design depicts the Welcome Stranger, the largest nugget ever recorded. Unearthed by prospectors John Deason and Richard Oates at Moliagul, Victoria in February 1869, their 2,284 ounces find was too large for the scales and had to be broken into three pieces before being weighed.

The portrayal of the nugget and the outer rim are gilded in 24-carat gold. The nugget is surrounded by a line drawing of the map of Australia and encircled by a ring of stylised sun rays. Within the design is the nugget’s name, and a ‘P40’ mintmark. Also included on the reverse is the inscription ‘THE AUSTRALIAN NUGGET’, together with the weight, purity and 2026 year-date.

Presentation packaging

Accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity, the coin comes in a classic black display case with a clear lid and a shipper with the title '40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOLD COIN PROGRAM' in gold-coloured text.