1 oz Platinum Wedge Tailed Eagle 2026 (Mintage: 150 | High Relief | Partially Gilded | Reverse Proof)

Wedge-tailed Eagle 2026: Eagle Rarity with 24-Karat Shine in High Relief

• Strictly limited: The Perth Mint is striking a worldwide mintage of just 150 pieces, with no further examples to follow
• Material / Fineness: A full ounce (31.1 g) of platinum with a fineness of 999.5/1,000, combined with a partial gilding of 24-karat gold
• Rarity: An extremely rare collector's coin from one of Australia's most popular eagle series
• Growth potential: Very high appreciation potential thanks to the limited number of pieces and strong demand from collectors worldwide
• Investment goal: A rare collector's item that combines numismatic exclusivity with genuine precious metal content
• Design: Wedge-tailed eagle and bald eagle side by side, the eleventh Wedge-tailed Eagle design by John M. Mercanti, the former Chief Engraver of the US Mint
• Special feature: High Relief striking on concavely curved surfaces, creating a three-dimensional look and a feel you can sense in your fingers
• Manufacturer: Struck by the renowned Perth Mint in Western Australia
• Country of origin: Australia, official legal tender with a face value of 100 AUD

Some coins you simply buy. Others you search for for years. The 1 oz platinum Wedge-tailed Eagle 2026 clearly belongs to the second category: with just 150 pieces worldwide, this partially gilded Reverse Proof edition is one of the rarest platinum coins of the Perth Mint's current year of issue. Those who hesitate here will often miss out later.

Two Eagles, Two Continents: The Design

In the foreground, an Australian wedge-tailed eagle gazes watchfully to the right. Behind it appears a bald eagle looking in the same direction. John M. Mercanti, who as the 12th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint created more coin and medal designs than any other employee in the institution's history, elegantly combines his American roots with Australia's heraldic animal. The plumage is worked out down to the finest feather structures. The eagle design and outer rim have been embellished with 24-karat gold, which stands out beautifully against the cool white of the platinum.

On the design side are the inscription "AUSTRALIAN WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE", the "P" mint mark of the mint, as well as weight, fineness and year of issue: "2026 1oz 9995 PLATINUM". On the opposite side, the coin shows the portrait of King Charles III based on a design by Dan Thorne, framed by "CHARLES III AUSTRALIA" and the face value "100 DOLLARS".

The wedge-tailed eagle is Australia's largest bird of prey. It reaches a wingspan of up to 2.8 meters and often glides on thermals at altitudes of over 2,000 meters.

High Relief Meets Reverse Proof

A normal relief lies flat on the coin. A High Relief, on the other hand, stands out clearly from the background. To ensure the metal flows optimally during striking, the Perth Mint strikes both sides on concavely curved surfaces. This creates a coin with a thickness of up to 7.00 mm and a diameter of 27.60 mm. Added to this is the Reverse Proof quality, which the Perth Mint refers to as "Enhanced Reverse Proof". Here, the principle of the classic Proof finish is reversed: mirror-like shine and matte areas swap roles. Combined with the gilding, this creates an image that looks different depending on how the light falls on it.

Why the Limitation Makes the Difference

The Wedge-tailed Eagle series has been issued since 2014 and has long since secured a firm place in international collections. Year after year brings a new design, along with issues in silver, gold and platinum. The 2026 year of issue shows just how varied the scarcity of the individual variants can be:

• 2 oz silver coin Ultra High Relief, partially gilded: 1,000 pieces
• 5 oz silver coin Ultra High Relief, partially gilded: 500 pieces
• 1 oz gold Ultra High Relief: 350 pieces
• 1 oz platinum High Relief, partially gilded: only 150 pieces
• 5 oz gold Ultra High Relief: 40 pieces

The silver editions are well suited for getting started. However, their mintage is many times higher, and several of them sold out at the Perth Mint after only a short time. The 5-ounce gold coin is even rarer, but requires a significantly larger budget. The platinum version is a very successful middle ground: a very low mintage, a convenient one-ounce format, and a precious metal that is already considered exclusive among collectors. It is precisely this strict limitation that makes the coin a true rarity within the series.

Platinum: Rare, Noble, Stable in Value

Platinum has been known for over 2,000 years and is valued as a store of value. As a currency, it is admittedly less widespread than gold. However, it possesses an intrinsic value that is recognized worldwide and also plays a major role in industry. Platinum has never had a value of zero. For a collector's coin, this provides a solid foundation: besides its rarity, each piece contains a full ounce of one of the world's most precious metals.

Technical Data at a Glance

• Precious metal: Platinum, partially gilded (24 karat)
• Fineness: 999.5/1,000
• Fine weight / Weight: 1 ounce (31.1 grams)
• Diameter: 27.60 mm
• Face value: 100 Australian Dollars
• Year of issue: 2026
• Finish: Reverse Proof, High Relief
• Mintage: maximum 150 pieces
• Manufacturer: Perth Mint, Australia
• Scope of delivery: Wooden case with illustrated outer box and numbered certificate of authenticity

Anyone collecting the Wedge-tailed Eagle series or seeking a particularly rare platinum coin will find here a piece that is not seen every day. Beautifully presented in its wooden case, this strictly limited edition becomes a highlight in any collection.