There are bullion coins attractive to collectors and are being sold as having a limited mintage like the Perth Mint Swans. The heightened interest in the coin includes the coin’s design, form factor, special features, or overall series popularity. Such a coin is the Australian Emu.

While in production, a semi-numismatic coin can be purchased at a reasonable premium over the spot price of the metal. It might be slightly higher than a pure bullion coin, but not by very much. Once the production is completed and mint inventory sells out, the premium over spot bumps up. As the inventory at dealers dwindles, the premium rises more.

2018 Australian 1 troy ounce .9999 Silver Emu

Obverse

On the obverse of the 2018 Australian Silver Emu is the right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majestys depiction featured on these coins comes from Ian Rank-Broadley, and it was created in 1998 as the fourth-generation depiction on British coinage. The Queen's effigy is encircled by engravings of her name, the nation of issue, and the face value of the coin.

Keep in mind the premium is that portion of the purchase price that is higher than the spot. Once all inventory is depleted, semi-numismatic coins become available only on the secondary market. And that happens only when the original purchaser decides to sell it. Depending on supply and demand, the numismatic factors impact the coin’s premium, usually pushing it higher.

Reverse

The reverse of all 2018 1 oz Australian Silver Emu Coins features the new Emu design from Perth Mint. The Emu is the largest native bird on the Australian continent and is endemic to the mainland. The large, flightless bird is depicted walking across an open scene on the Outback, with engravings of the series name across the top and the coins year of issue, weight, purity, and metal content at the bottom.

There is no guarantee that any particular coin or series will exhibit this semi-numismatic behavior. Neither is there a formula to calculate what the premium appreciation will become over time. However, there are clues to help you as an investor/collector identify which coins are more likely to become semi-numismatic.

Sources: Apmex, JM Bullion, Bold Precious Metals

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