On Sunday, January 22, the 2023 Year of the Rabbit officially kicked into high gear with Lunar New Year celebrations. While there are countless cultural symbols and celebrations associated with the Lunar New Year, it has also become a popular concept in the precious metals industry. With mints like Perth Mint leading the way, bullion coins, bullion bars, and even enhanced legal tender notes are available to celebrate the visuals of each Lunar New Year. This year’s 2023 Year of the Rabbit celebration is no different!
Perth Mint Lunar Series III
Arguably the leader in this space, Perth Mint has been producing Lunar Series bullion coins since 1996. Its collection started with gold bullion coins in the Lunar Series I program and eventually expanded to silver. Following the conclusion of that series, Perth rolled directly into subsequent Lunar Series II and Lunar Series III collections, the latter of which is the current series and marks its fourth release with the 2023 Year of the Rabbit.
For the 2023 Year of the Rabbit release in Gold Lunar Series III and Silver Lunar Series III coins, you will find the following designs:
- 2023 Silver Year of the Rabbit: The reverse of all BU and Proof silver coins in the 2023 Year of the Rabbit release include a depiction of two rabbits. Here, the rabbits are seen beneath a low-hanging branch as one rabbit sits alert as the other stands on its hind legs to inspect the branch above.
- 2023 Gold Year of the Rabbit: The reverse design for BU and Proof gold coins features a more playful image. Here, the rabbit is bounding through a grassy field with taller foliage around it.
- 2023 Lunar Series III Obverse: For the obverse of all coins in the series, you will find one of the final images of Queen Elizabeth II on Australian coins. The sixth-generation portrait from Jody Clark captures the Queen in right-profile relief wearing the George IV State Diadem.
The Lunar Series III collection also includes a 1 oz platinum coin with this option sharing the design from the Gold Lunar Series III coins. Ing Ing Jong, one of Perth Mint’s most accomplished designers and a veteran of Lunar Series coinage, designed both Year of the Rabbit images.
Lunar Year Series
At JM Bullion, we carry a custom series of Lunar Year products. Limited to silver bullion only, this collection features unique Lunar Year designs on 1 oz silver rounds and 10 oz silver bars. These visuals, like other products, change with each year on the Lunar Calendar. The Year of the Rabbit release features a rabbit in front-facing release at a full sprint as it speeds across the design field. In a new addition to the Year of the Rabbit, the 1 oz silver rounds are offered with individual clamshell cards that have special Lunar Year design elements.
Lunar Notes
Another example of commemorative Year of the Rabbit products are legal tender US notes enhanced with colorized visuals. A specialty of Merrick Mint, these various notes include Golden Hologram Rabbit Notes and Polychrome Rabbits Legal Tender Notes. In either case, the notes are official $2 (USD) Federal Reserve Notes in clean, uncirculated condition. Merrick Mint has enhanced the notes with various colorizations and added designs to create a collectible note honoring the Year of the Rabbit.
Year of the Rabbit
As with the other animals in the Zodiac, rabbits have unique characteristics and traits that many believe humans born under the sign of each animal share with those creatures. For example, rabbits are seen as quiet animals, but quick to act when necessary. As such, many believe that those born during the Year of the Rabbit are quiet individuals, yet quick to act when called upon. The general strengths of those born during the Year of the Rabbit are optimism, grace, and generosity, while weaknesses include vanity, emotional instability, and satisfaction with the status quo.
Honor the Year of the Rabbit with Great Investments and Collectibles at JM Bullion
There’s no shortage of Lunar Year of the Rabbit products awaiting you at JM Bullion. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. JM Bullion customer service is available at 800-276-6508, online using our live chat, and via our email address. Remember that you can follow our blog for regular posts and keep up with us on social media as well.