Specifications
Perth Mint Lunar Series (Gold) at a glance
Composition
- Alloy
- Pure gold (99.99% fine)
- Color
- Brilliant 24k gold with Perth Mint strike quality
- Thickness
- 2.80 mm
- Available weights
- 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, ¼ oz, ½ oz, 1 oz, 2 oz, 10 oz, 1 kg
Provenance
- Issuing mint
- The Perth Mint →
- Mint location
- Perth, Western Australia
- First minted
- 1996
- Face value
- AUD $100 (1 oz)
- Legal tender
- Yes
- IRA eligible (US)
- Yes
Source: issuing mint specifications, cross-checked against published dealer and grading-service data.
The story
History
Launched in 1996, the Perth Mint’s Lunar series follows the twelve-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, with a new animal — rat, ox, tiger, and so on — featured each year. It has run through three full cycles: Series I (1996–2007), Series II (2008–2019) and Series III (2020 onward).
What sets the Lunar apart from the annually-changing Gold Kangaroo is its capped mintages: the 1 oz gold Lunar is limited (historically to 30,000 coins per year for Series II/III), which has given many issues genuine collector scarcity on top of their bullion value. Combined with the Perth Mint’s renowned strike quality and the deep cultural resonance of the zodiac across Asia, the series has become one of the most sought-after modern bullion lines.
- 1996 — Lunar Series I begins (the zodiac cycle)
- 2008 / 2020 — Series II and III follow
- Capped 1 oz mintages → real collector scarcity
- Strong demand across the Asia-Pacific market
The two faces
Design
The reigning monarch of Australia (King Charles III since 2023; previously Queen Elizabeth II), with the face value and "AUSTRALIA."
The Chinese zodiac animal of the year, rendered in the Perth Mint’s high-relief style — a different design every year through the twelve-year cycle, often with Chinese characters and the animal’s name.
Representative emblem — no freely-licensed photograph of the Perth Mint Lunar Series (Gold) is available, as its modern design is under mint copyright. The gold coin pictured is a generic Wise With Gold illustration, not the actual Perth Mint Lunar Series (Gold); the genuine obverse and reverse are described above.
Authentication & counterfeit watch
How to spot a genuine Perth Mint Lunar Series (Gold)
A genuine 1 oz Gold Lunar weighs 31.10 g (pure gold), about 32.10 mm across and 2.80 mm thick, and is non-magnetic — bullion specs shared with the Gold Kangaroo. Perth Mint strike quality is a tell: fields are clean and the high-relief animal is crisp. Because each year shows a different zodiac animal, the reverse design must match the date on the coin. Capsuled coins in original Perth Mint packaging carry the most confidence for collector issues.
Authentication guidance is general reference, not a substitute for professional verification. For high-value purchases, buy from reputable dealers and consider professional grading.
For the investor
Investment considerations
The Lunar appeals to investors who want bullion with collector upside: capped mintages mean popular years (notably the Dragon) can trade well above gold value, while common years remain close to bullion. It is IRA eligible at 99.99% purity and struck by the highly-regarded Perth Mint.
Liquidity is excellent across the Asia-Pacific region and good globally. As with any collectible-leaning coin, premiums run higher and more variable than a plain Kangaroo or Krugerrand — the trade-off for the scarcity and design appeal.
Common questions
Perth Mint Lunar Series (Gold) FAQ
How is the Lunar different from the Gold Kangaroo?
Both are Perth Mint .9999 coins, but the Lunar follows the 12-year Chinese zodiac with capped mintages (more collectible), while the Kangaroo changes design yearly with open mintages (more pure-bullion).
Is the Perth Lunar IRA-eligible?
Yes — at 99.99% purity from the Perth Mint, it qualifies for US self-directed gold IRAs.
Why do some Lunar coins cost much more than others?
Capped mintages create scarcity. Popular years — the Dragon especially — command strong collector premiums; common years trade closer to gold value.