The very first coins in the history of lunar-themed issues from the Perth Mint were those from the 1996 Year of the Rat. Even though the Perth Mint launched its Lunar Series III collection in 2020, you can still find specimens from the groundbreaking series that started in the mid-1990s. Right now, 1996 1 oz Australian Gold Lunar Rat Coins are available to purchase online from JM Bullion in near-perfect condition.

Coin Highlights:

• Arrives inside of a PCGS or NGC protective plastic slab!
• 1^st from the Lunar Series I collection at the Perth Mint!
• Limited availability of certified coins!
• Contains 1 Troy oz of .9999 pure gold.
• Bears a face value of $100 (AUD) backed by the federal government of Australia.
• Issued a Grade of Mint State 69 by the Professional Coin Grading Service or Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.
• The obverse features Queen Elizabeth II.
• On the reverse is a rat on a small patch of grass.
• Please note you could receive several coins from the same grading house if you purchase multiples.

Each 1996 1 oz Australian Gold Lunar Rat Coin available in this product listing comes with a Mint State 69 certification from the PCGS or NGC. Coins in this condition exhibit full, original mint luster with a maximum of two minor detracting flaws. Examples of acceptable flaws at this grade level include only minuscule contact marks or hairlines and must be located outside of the primary focal fields of the coin.

This is a random listing in terms of which coin grading house issued the certification. We cannot guarantee if the MS69 label in the slab comes from the PCGS or the NGC. All coins are chosen at random. Please note that if you buy more than one coin it is possible you will receive several that were all graded by the PCGS or all graded by the NGC.

The obverse face of the 1996 1 oz Australian Gold Lunar Rat Coin features the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. This portrait is the third-generation British design and the fourth to feature on Australian coins. It was designed for the Royal Mint of England in 1984 by Maklouf and is considered one of the most regal depictions of the Queen during her reign.

On the reverse side of the 1996 Australian Gold Lunar Rat Coin is an image of a single rat on a small patch of grass. This side of the coin features a beaded border with the Chinese symbol for the rat above the small, furry creature.

If you have any questions about buying gold, please contact JM Bullion. Our customer service team is available on the phone at 800-276-6508, online using our live chat, and via our email address.