Australian Lunar Gold Coins Perth Mint Series I, II & III

Perth Mint · Authorized Dealer

Australian Gold Lunar Coins — Investment-Grade Bullion with a Built-In Scarcity Engine

Australian Gold Lunar coins are among the most strategically sound purchases in the gold bullion market — combining .9999 fine gold purity, Australian legal tender status, fixed annual mintages, and a 28-year production history that has generated real secondary market demand. These are not decorative coins. They are investment-grade bullion with a collectible premium engine built in: every year a new design, every mintage strictly capped, every coin gone once it's gone.

BOLD is a Perth Mint authorized dealer. Every Lunar gold coin on this page is sourced through official channels — authenticated, not pulled from secondary market lots of unknown provenance. That distinction matters more than most buyers realize until they try to resell.

.9999 Fine Gold Legal Tender Fixed Mintages 28-Year Track Record Perth Mint Authorized

Perth Mint Gold Lunar Series I, II & III — What's the Difference?

The Perth Mint has produced three complete Lunar Series, each cycling through all 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac over 12 years. Understanding the series timeline isn't just background information — it directly affects which coins are available, which carry the highest premiums, and which suit your specific goals as a buyer.

 Overlooked Fact — Get the Timeline Right

Series I launched in 1996 — not 1999 as some dealers incorrectly state. The Year of the Mouse (1996) opened the series; the Year of the Pig (2007) closed it — a full 12-year cycle. This error matters if you're building a complete set, because it causes buyers to undercount the years they need to source. At BOLD, we sell from accurate inventory knowledge.

Feature Lunar Series I Lunar Series II Lunar Series III
Years Produced 1996–2007 2008–2019 2020–2031
Gold Purity .9999 fine gold .9999 fine gold .9999 fine gold
Design Style Classic hand-engraved detail Refined, elevated relief Modern, high-contrast sculpting
Mintage Availability Fixed — production closed Fixed — production closed Current — actively minted
Collector Premium Trajectory Highest — scarce early years Growing — sets increasingly incomplete Current spot + modest premium
Legal Tender Yes — Australian currency Yes — Australian currency Yes — Australian currency
Best Buyer Profile Set collectors, scarcity-focused investors Collector-investor hybrid buyers New buyers, annual stackers, gifting

 Dealer Insight — Ryan Cochran, BOLD Precious Metals

"Series I coins from 1996–2007 are the hardest to source in genuine MS-69 and MS-70 condition. The 1996 Year of the Mouse and 1997 Year of the Ox in 1 oz are particularly thin in dealer inventory right now — I'm seeing premiums on those running 35–50% above spot when they surface in certified condition. If you're building a complete 12-coin Series I set, start locking in the early years before they get any harder to find. For buyers who just want current-year gold with clean resale potential, Series III is exactly where you should be shopping."


Gold Lunar Coin Sizes — Which Is Right for You?

The Perth Mint strikes Australian Gold Lunar coins in a wider size range than nearly any other sovereign mint. That's a genuine advantage for buyers at every capital level. Match the size to your goals:

1/10 oz

Lowest dollar entry point. Ideal for first-time gold buyers, gifting, or adding a specific zodiac year to a collection without heavy capital commitment. Higher premium-to-weight ratio, but accessibility is the point.

1/4 oz

Popular middle ground. Meaningful gold weight with a manageable price. Good for buyers who want to stack multiple zodiac years annually without overextending.

1/2 oz

Solid choice for buyers who want real gold weight at a price point below the full ounce. Slightly lower mintages than 1 oz in many years — worth noting for collectors.

1 oz

The benchmark. Best liquidity of any size, tightest buy-sell spreads, and the easiest to resell globally. The 1 oz is where the deepest secondary market exists for Lunar coins.

2 oz

Lower mintages than the 1 oz across all three series, which creates meaningful collector scarcity over time. Premiums on 2 oz pieces from closed series have historically outpaced the 1 oz on a per-ounce basis.

10 oz

High-volume stackers. Competitive per-ounce cost on a recognized design. Less liquid at retail resale than the 1 oz; requires a longer holding horizon or direct-to-dealer exit strategy.

1 Kilo

Maximum prestige, maximum rarity. Kilo Lunar coins from early Series I years have become genuine numismatic assets. Only suitable for buyers with a specific long-term exit plan.

Ryan Cochran — BOLD Precious Metals

"For pure investment with maximum resale flexibility, buy the 1 oz every time. The global secondary market for 1 oz Lunar gold coins is deep and liquid — you can sell a 1 oz Year of the Dragon in Sydney, London, or Dallas without explanation.

If you're a collector-investor hybrid, the 2 oz is the most underrated size in the lineup: low enough mintage to carry a real premium in 5–10 years, still accessible enough to buy multiple years without breaking your budget.

Avoid the 10 oz and 1 kilo unless you have a dealer-level exit strategy in place — those sizes move slowly in retail resale channels."


Why Australian Lunar Gold Coins Hold Value Differently

Annual Design Rotation

New animal, new design, fixed mintage — production closed forever when the year ends. Most bullion coins look identical for decades.

Mintages Never Expanded

In 28 years across three series, the Perth Mint has never retroactively expanded a closed year's mintage. That consistency is a track record buyers can price into their assumptions.

.9999 Four-Nines Purity

Exceeds the .9167 purity of American Gold Eagles. Maximum gold content per ounce purchased — the highest standard achievable in mass-produced sovereign bullion.

Why Buy Australian Lunar Gold Coins from BOLD?


Perth Mint Authorized Dealer

Direct sourcing through official channels. Every coin authenticated at origin — not through secondary market lots of unknown provenance.


Free Shipping on Orders Over $199

No thresholds designed to exclude small buyers — competitive shipping access at every order size.


Competitive Premiums Across All Series & Sizes

We price to win your repeat business — not just the first transaction.


Secure, Insured Delivery on Every Order

Your coins are covered from our vault to your door.


No Hidden Fees

The price you see at checkout is the price you pay. Full stop.


Full Series Inventory

Current Series III releases alongside available Series I and II coins — build or complete a full zodiac set without sourcing from multiple dealers.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are Australian Lunar Gold Coins a good investment?

Yes — for buyers who want gold bullion with a built-in collectible premium engine. Fixed annual mintages, annual design changes, and Perth Mint's 28-year track record of never expanding a closed year's mintage create genuine scarcity-driven appreciation on top of base gold value. The 1 oz size offers the best liquidity for investment-focused buyers.

What is the difference between Lunar Series I, II, and III?

All three series cycle through the 12 Chinese zodiac animals over 12 years at .9999 fine gold purity. Series I ran 1996–2007, Series II ran 2008–2019, and Series III covers 2020–2031. Series I carries the highest collector premiums due to age and scarcity; Series III is currently in production and easiest to source at current-market premiums.

Do Perth Mint Lunar Gold Coins have legal tender status?

Yes. Every Australian Gold Lunar coin is official Australian legal tender, denominated in Australian dollars. This status is guaranteed by the Australian federal government and is part of what gives Perth Mint coins global recognition and resale acceptance.

What sizes do Australian Gold Lunar coins come in?

Perth Mint produces Gold Lunar coins in seven sizes: 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz, 10 oz, and 1 kilo. Availability varies by year and series — current Series III releases are most widely available across all sizes. The 1 oz is the most liquid and widely traded size.

Is BOLD an authorized Perth Mint dealer?

Yes. BOLD Precious Metals is an authorized Perth Mint dealer, meaning our Lunar gold coins are sourced directly through official channels. Every coin is authenticated at origin — not purchased through secondary market intermediaries — so you receive product whose provenance is guaranteed from mint to buyer.

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