Australia’s Lunar Series II collection of gold and silver coins from the Perth Mint is recognized as the industry leader in this segment. The mint’s original Lunar Series (1996-2007) set the standard which all other subsequent lunar-themed coin collections are judged, including its own Lunar Series II collection. Today, the 11^th coin is available as the 2018 ½ oz Australian Silver Dog Coin is now for sale from JM Bullion.

Coin Highlights:

• Arrives inside of individual plastic capsules, rolls of 20 and boxes of 100. 
• 11^th coin in the Lunar Series II release!
• Contains ½ Troy oz of .9999 pure silver in BU condition.
• Face value of $.50 (AUD) is fully backed by Australia’s government.
• Queen Elizabeth II’s effigy on the obverse.
• German Shepherd anchors the Year of the Dog silver design on the reverse.
• Created by Ing Ing Jong.

The Perth Mint’s Lunar Series II Year of the Dog coins are available, as usual, in silver and gold options. The gold program offers greater bullion diversity with four fractional weights, a 1 oz coin, and three coins above 1 oz in weight. The silver option is impressive in its own right though, with this ½ oz Australian Silver Dog Coin accompanied by a 1 oz silver, 2 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz, and 1 Kilo option.

When the Perth Mint sets an unlimited mintage for coin releases, it’s not quite as it sounds. For the calendar year of issue, in this case 2018, the Perth Mint will continue to strike the coins as long as there is demand. When demand stops or 2018 ends, the Perth Mint will retire the design and stop coining Year of the Dog coins.

All 2018 ½ oz Australian Silver Dog Coins in this listing are in BU condition. Coins in BU condition have no signs of wear and tear. Minor flaws are possible though, ranging from breaks in the luster and spotted surfaces to contact marks from the production process.

On the reverse of the Australian Silver Dog Coin is a design from Ing Ing Jong that depicts an adult German Shepherd lying in a field with its pup. Engravings include “Year of the Dog,” as well as the Chinese character for dog and the “P” mint mark of the Perth Mint.

Queen Elizabeth II’s right-profile portrait appears on the reverse of the 2018 ½ oz Australian Silver Dog Coin. Created in 1998 by Ian Rank-Broadley, this coin design is the fourth-generation effigy on the Queen from British and commonwealth coins.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to JM Bullion with questions. You can reach our customer service associates at 800-276-6508, chat with us live online, or send us an email with your inquiries.