Gold Coin Year of the Snake Year of the Snake Lunar 1 Oz 2001

Investment Coins Lunar Series I. (1996-2007)

The Australian Lunar Series of gold investment coins and silver investment coins, issued by the Perth Mint, is dedicated to the 12-year cycle of the Chinese lunar calendar starting in 1996 (Year of the Mouse) and ending in 2007 (Year of the Pig). These investment coins have become some of the world's most popular collectible coins minted in recent times. The series was originally introduced in gold, but in 1999 the Mint began minting them in silver as well.

As these are investment coins, they can of course be acquired at the price of gold on world markets, but excluding those investment coins that are minted in limited editions. In addition to their huge popularity and worldwide liquidity, this is one of the reasons why these coins are so sought after and why many investors become avid collectors.

The Lunar Series gold coins are minted in 0.9999 (24-karat) purity of the purest gold and the silver coins are minted in 0.999 fine silver. Each coin of the Lunar Series is housed individually in a protective acrylic capsule.

The main reason for the popularity of these coins is their exceptional quality. Many coin collectors claim that the Perth Mint is unmatched when it comes to producing commemorative coins.

Obverse:

Lunar Series investment coins are so beautifully struck that some investors mistakenly think that these coins are struck in proof quality. The raised designs on the coin are meticulously polished, and the contrast is complemented by the matte to satin finish all around. This effect can best be seen on the obverse of the coin, which always shows a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

Reverse:

The reverse of the coin is dedicated to the animal motifs associated with each year of the lunar calendar. The motifs in the various animal productions are also used on the silver coins and may even differ from the gold ones.

The 1 Kg, 10-ounce, and 2-ounce gold coins are minted without restriction, but the 1-ounce coins are limited to 30,000, 1/2 ounce to 40,000, 1/4 ounce to 60,000, 1/10 ounce to 80,000, and 1/20 ounce to 100,000. Of the silver coins, the 1 Kg, 500 g, 10-ounce, 5-ounce, and 2-ounce coins are unlimited, but only 300,000 pieces to 1 ounce and 500,000 pieces to 1/2 ounce.

The Year of the Dragon gold investment coins issued in 2000 at 1 ounce, the Year of the Serpent issued in 2001 and the Year of the Horse issued in 2002 also at 1 ounce have reached their production limit and are no longer being produced. Sometimes they can still be found on the secondary market, but in any case the coins are the number one flash sell-out from the Perth Mint.

Sales of gold investment coins in the first Lunar Series issued between 1996 and 2007 can be found here-on the Perth Mint website.

The Lunar Series of gold investment coins offers high appreciation in future years, as can be seen currently on the Lunar Series I and some of the current Lunar Series II coins. Normally, in the current year of mintage, the price for limited edition coins does not significantly exceed that of regular investment coins, but after a while, when the coin is on sale and investor and collector interest grows, the price begins to increase. This is why it often happens that these coins are literally sold out in a flash. Of course, the sold-out coins are then sold on the market at a big premium. This makes their price rise much faster than other investment coins.
Lunar Series Investment Coins are a well-known and respected investment worldwide, both from the point of view of investors and collectors, because of their huge demand and liquidity.