The Lunar Series pays tribute to the Chinese Zodiac. The 12-year cycle assigns an animal to each year in a set rotation.

Because the Chinese Zodiac is a discrete set of elements, it is possible to assemble full sets of the Perth Mint Lunar Series. Furthermore, the Lunars “turn over” every dozen years and begin a new Series.

Let’s discuss this coin series and who might want to invest in them. Here are the relevant details about the Perth Mint Lunar Series.

What Is the Perth Mint Lunar Series?

The Perth Mint Lunar Series debuted in 1996. The inspiration for the series’ design was the Shengxiao, or Chinese Zodiac.

Because the Shengxiao is a 12-year cycle, the coin series necessarily adopted a 12-year design rotation to guide its design patterns. Thus, it is possible to break the Lunar Series into three distinct compartments — Series I, Series II, and Series III. Here are the dates for each:

• Series I (1996–2007)
• Series II (2008–2019)
• Series III (2020–present)

Series III will conclude its run in 2031. Thus, Series IV of the Lunar Series will debut in 2032.

Initially, the Lunar Series began as a gold-only product in 1996. The first coins were minted to be .9999 fine, or 99.99% pure — which allowed the Lunar Series to rank among the purest sovereign bullion coins in the world.

The standard size for the release was the 1 oz version. The Perth Mint also released the Australian Lunar in 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, and 1/20 oz fractional formats.

Three years later, the popularity of the series prodded the Perth Mint to introduce a silver version of the Lunar. Because of its late start, Series I of the Silver Lunars stretched all the way to 2010. So, for three years — 2008–2010 — there were two releases of Silver Lunars.

Until 2016, every Silver Lunar was minted with .999 fine silver — a purity sufficient to tie such vaunted bullion coins as the Mexican Silver Libertad. However, the Perth Mint upgraded the coin’s purity to .9999 fine silver in 2017.

All Perth Mint Lunars are legal tender in Australia. Each one bears a face value between A$5 and as much as A$30,000. However, those high-end face values are for some of the less commonly produced Lunar sizes, such as the 10 kg coins produced in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

In terms of rarity and mintages, Series I coins are the most limited. None of their maximum mintages at any size could exceed 100,000 units.

However, the Perth Mint has been much more generous about the release of Series II and Series III Lunars. Many of them are available on demand for the majority of their weights.

Interestingly, the one primary unlimited mintage holdout is the 1 oz version of both the gold and silver Lunars. The standard size coin is typically restricted to only 30,000 gold versions and 300,000 silver ones.

The Perth Mint has released proof versions of the Lunar since its inception in 1996. Of course, the mintages on these coins are much lower, and you can expect their premiums to be much higher. Assembling a full set of proof Lunars would be an expensive and challenging proposition indeed.

The 12 Animals & Collector Demand

As we’ve discussed, the Shengxiao is a 12-year cycle, and each year in the cycle has an animal assigned to it. According to legend, the animals and the order in which they appear are due, of all things, to their placement in a mythical swimming competition held by the Jade Emperor (the supreme deity in Taoism).

With respect to the Perth Mint Lunar Series, the table below shows all 12 animals across each Series, along with their associated years. Each year is accompanied by a spike in searches and demand when it — and a new animal — drops.

What Makes Lunar Coins Worth Collecting?

The goal of long-term Australian Lunar collectors is the full set. Ideally, a collection would have complete Series I and Series II sets, and be well on the way to every member of Series III.

Now, the design on the obverse of the Lunars serves as a measure of consistency for the series. Each Australian Lunar, regardless of the year or animal, features the current monarch reigning over the United Kingdom.

So, all Lunars issued between 1996 and 2023 feature Queen Elizabeth II. However, due to the queen’s passing in September 2022, the 2024 Lunars became the first to feature a different royal — Elizabeth’s son, King Charles III.

By contrast, each year’s Lunar features an entirely new design on its reverse. Because 12 years pass between the same animal’s turn, the Perth Mint issues new designs for each iteration of it. Thus, every single Lunar is different.

However, you can pick up additional value if you do assemble an entire Series of Lunars. Though the premiums on each coin are respectable, there is additional money to be made for full sets.

With that said, don’t forget to take care of each coin’s condition and packaging. Despite their ultra purity and value as pure precious metals investments, they are one of the small group of bullion coins that bear a great deal of numismatic value.

Conclusion

In short, the Perth Mint’s Australian Lunar series offers something for both precious metals stackers and true coin collectors. The discrete nature of the different subsets of coins makes for obvious collecting opportunities, but each coin is also minted to be “four nines fine.”

As much as we are able, JM Bullion can assist you in putting together your own set of Lunars. Be sure to browse our selection to get started or, if you’re already collecting, fill in the gaps that you have.