Gold Investment Coin Year of the Dragon Year of the Dragon Lunar 1 Oz 2012

Lunar Series II Investment Coins (2008-2019)

Actual mintage and sales of Lunar Gold Investment Coins issued between 2008 and 2016 can be found here-on the Perth Mint website.

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 2008 (Year of the Mouse) and ending in 2019 (Year of the Pig). These investment coins have become some of the world's most popular collectible coins minted in recent times. The first Lunar Series was originally introduced in 1996 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. As of 2017 (Year of the Rooster silver investment coin release), the purity of the Lunar silver investment coins is 0.9999. 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 side of the coin always depicts the animal motif of that year of the Chinese lunar calendar. The animal motifs in the different productions are always slightly different on silver and gold coins.

Mintage:

Gold coins of 1 Kg, 10-ounce, 2-ounce, 1/2-ounce, 1/4-ounce, 1/10-ounce and 1/20-ounce are minted without limit, but 1-ounce coins are limited to 30,000 pieces and 10-kilogram coins (if issued) to only 10-100 pieces. Silver coins of 1 Kg, 500 g, 10-ounce, 5-ounce and 2-ounce are unlimited, but only 150-1000 pieces: 10 Kg and 300,000 pieces: 1 oz. Coin production always ceases at the end of the year, the exact/actual mintage is then published herein the coming year - on the Perth Mint website.

Lunar 1oz gold investment coins very often reach their production limit and are soon discontinued. Sometimes they can still be found on the secondary market, but in any case the coins are usually sold out in a flash from the Perth Mint.

Lunar Series gold investment coins offer 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 of 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 by investors and collectors, because of their huge demand and liquidity.