This coin celebrates two iconic animals native to Australia and China.

The koala is a very special Australian animal. That the koala “holds the affection of Australians more than any other of their wild animals” was suggested in The Wild Animals of Australasia, a 1926 tome that attributed their unrivalled charm to an “innocent, babyish expression and quiet and inoffensive ways”. Clinging to the trunk of a gum tree, the beloved marsupial in the design features a cherubic face of a forever charming koala.

The panda, characterized by its white coat with black patches around the eyes, ears, legs and shoulders, is a bear species endemic to China. This unique national treasure of China is well-loved worldwide. More than just adorable animals, pandas have played important ambassadorial roles throughout China’s history.

The coin portrays an adorable koala climbing a gum tree looking out over its natural habitat. As well as the inscription ‘KOALA’, a ‘P125’ mintmark signifying The Perth Mint’s 125th anniversary, the coin’s weight, purity and year-date. The reverse also includes a coloured privy of a panda holding on to a bamboo pole.

The coin is presented in an auspiciously coloured display card featuring both iconic animals, the panda holding on to the eucalyptus brunch and the koala holding on to the bamboo pole, signifying friendship between the two animals.