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Read More → Buy Australian Gold Lunar Series Coins
Perth Mint Gold Lunar Coins were first introduced by the mint in 1996. Over several decades, Perth has reinvented its lunar-themed designs again and again, creating a collection that is beloved among investors and collectors around the world. Perth Mint Lunar Collections always begin anew with the Year of the Mouse, the first in the 12-year cycle of the Zodiac, and conclude with the Year of the Pig.
Perth Mint Lunar Collections
As mentioned above, Perth Mint has offered several iterations of its Gold Lunar Coins since 1996. As of 2020, the mint has three unique series of lunar-themed issues, each one following the exact 12-year cycle of the Zodiac. The collections available consist of the following options:
- Lunar Series I (1996-2007)
- Lunar Series II (2008-2019)
- Lunar Series III (2020-2031)
Designs
Perth Mint Lunar Gold Coins feature a monarch portrait on the obverse of every release and unique reverse designs of the animals from the Zodiac on the reverse. There are a few hallmarks of the designs in these collections that are important to note. First and foremost, each release year features the animal present in the Zodiac for that date and includes the following:
- Mouse
- Ox
- Tiger
- Rabbit
- Dragon
- Snake
- Horse
- Goat
- Monkey
- Rooster
- Dog
- Pig
Only one animal appears for each date in a given Lunar Series. Since the beginning, Perth Mint has featured a distinct design for the gold and silver Lunar Series. As such, the Year of the Mouse is featured on both gold and silver, but the specific image of the mouse is different for each metal. This has continued up through the Lunar Series III collection. The introduction of a platinum coin in the Lunar Series III collection resulted in the gold design being featured on the platinum coins as well.
As for the monarch images on the coins, as of Lunar Series III, Queen Elizabeth II is the only monarch to have featured in the series. Her effigy has changed with time to reflect her age, with the following portraits in use over the course of the various collections:
- 1985-1997: Raphael Maklouf’s third-generation effigy of Elizabeth II
- 1998-2019: Ian Rank-Broadley’s fourth-generation portrait of Elizabeth II
- 2020-2024: Jody Clark’s final portrait of Elizabeth II
- 2025-present: Dan Thorne created the first-ever Australian bust of His Majesty King Charles III, a left-profile relief that lacks a crown.
Characteristics of the Series
There are several shared characteristics across various versions and series within Perth Mint’s lunar collection. Foremost among them, all these coins are meticulously crafted from .9999 pure gold and hold the esteemed status of legal tender within Australia. The gold bullion versions of the Lunar Series I and Lunar Series II, in particular, have consistently been struck in varying weights, including:
- 1 oz
- ½ oz
- ¼ oz
- 1/10 oz
- 1/20 oz
Occasionally, the Perth Mint has also issued higher-weight coins in 2 oz, 10 oz, and 1 Kilogram. However, this practice is predominantly reserved for special-edition or proof coins and is not part of regular production.
Each coin bears a face value denominated in Australian Dollars (AUD), commencing at $100 for the 1 oz gold coin. The face values for fractional-weight coins correspond to their fractional values, with values set at $50 (½ oz), $25 (¼ oz), $10 (1/10 oz), and $5 (1/20 oz).
Notably, the production of proof coins in the Perth Mint Gold Lunar series is significantly more limited than their bullion counterparts. The inception of proof coins coincided with the Lunar Series II, expanding the program to include coins exclusively in 1 oz, ¼ oz, and 1/10 oz weights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Collector demand plays a major role. Once a yearly zodiac design sells out, many buyers return later seeking earlier releases to complete sets, increasing secondary market demand.
The Lunar Series II remains particularly popular globally because of its strong artwork, broad international distribution, and collector following across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Yes. Every release introduces a completely new zodiac animal design based on the Chinese lunar calendar cycle.
They function strongly as both. Investors value the gold purity and sovereign mint backing, while collectors pursue complete zodiac date runs and lower mintage editions.
Some zodiac releases attract heavier demand due to cultural significance, lower mintages, or stronger collector popularity within Asian bullion markets.
Yes. Proof versions are produced with enhanced finishes, premium presentation packaging, and more limited production numbers.
Client Reviews
Carefully Handled Shipment
“The capsules were perfectly clean, the outer packaging was reinforced properly, and the coins arrived with zero movement inside the parcel during transit.”
Marcus Ellwood, United Kingdom
Finally Secured the Dragon Release
“I had been searching for the Lunar Dragon coin in this condition for months. Very satisfied with both the coin quality and the professionalism behind the transaction.”
Wei Jian Lim, Singapore
Strong Presentation Quality
“The proof Lunar Tiger arrived with immaculate packaging and excellent display presentation. The finish quality looked exceptional once opened under proper lighting.”
Adrian Cole, Australia
Trustworthy Overall Process
“Buying collectible gold online always requires confidence in the seller. After this experience, I’d have no hesitation purchasing future Lunar releases here again.”
Ethan Holloway, Canada
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Read More → The Gold Series That Follows the Lunar Calendar
The Australian Lunar Series became one of the most influential themed bullion programs ever produced by The Perth Mint by combining precious metals with the Chinese zodiac calendar. Each yearly release represents a different lunar animal, creating continuous collector demand as new designs enter the market and older releases become increasingly difficult to source. The combination of annually changing artwork, limited mintages, and globally recognized Perth Mint craftsmanship has helped position Gold Lunar coins among the most actively collected modern gold bullion series worldwide.
