For most Perth Mint bullion issues, specimen (brilliant uncirculated) coins carry the reverse design of the previous year's proof issue with only the date changed.

In 1998, Russian supplies of palladium all but dried up leading to a world-wide shortage of the metal, with South Africa remaining as the only major supplier. Prices doubled in only a few months leaving the Perth Mint with little option but to suspend the palladium Emu series.