Long before Lunar Year coins were popular with mints around the globe, Australias Perth Mint was producing one of the worlds first Lunar coins. The rabbit is one of the 12 animals to feature on the Chinese Lunar Calendar, and it was featured on one of the early Lunar coin series. Right now, the 1999 1 oz Australian Gold Rabbit Coin is available from JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
The animals of the Zodiac, or the Chinese Lunar Calendar, are celebrated on countless coin series today. The Perth Mint offered this Year of the Rabbit (or Hare) coin for the first time in 1999. The Lunar Series 1 coin program started in 1996, making this the fourth coin released in the series.
On the reverse side of each coin is the image of a lone rabbit. Featured sitting in an alert position, a small patch of grassland is visible beneath the creature. Engravings include the year of minting, listed vertically on the coin, the weight, purity, and metal content, as well as the Chinese symbol for rabbit.
The obverse side features the common imagery used on all Australian coins. Ian Rank-Broadleys right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is set in the center, with engravings surrounding her that read Elizabeth II, Australia, and 100 Dollars.
The Perth Mint struck the Lunar Year of the Rabbit coins in various weights in 1999, and just 18,261of those 1 oz Australian Gold Rabbit coinswere released. Each coin in this product listing is in BU condition, meaning it has no trace of wear. There are, however, possible contact marks, spotted surfaces, or breaks in the luster.
Although it is not Australias official mint, the Perth Mint is a state-owned entity of Western Australia. It is the oldest facility in Australia, and dates back to the founding of the Royal Mint system in the mid-19th century.
If you have questions for a JM Bullion associate, dont hesitate to reach out to us at 800-276-6508, online through our live chat, or via email. Interested in similar products? Visit the Australian Gold Coins page of the JM Bullion website.