LUNAR SERIES I by the Perth Mint
First hitting the market back in 1996, the Perth Mints flaghip Lunar coins had more humble beginnings and started out as a limited range of gold bullion coins in four sizes with just a single numismatic release. Fast forward to today and the Lunars are a huge part of the Perth Mints business and it’s fair to say, their flagship range.
Starting in 1996 with the Mouse, each year brought a new animal spread across a wide range of formats, eventually in 1999 making the leap over to silver where it proliferated until in 2004 the range hit a ridiculous 36 different variant releases. The artwork on the gold coins has always differed from the silvers and remained untainted by colouring or inserts. In contrast, the silver range has been subject to a wide range of experimentation from colouring and gilding, to jewel inserts and even a 24-frame lenticular.
Regardless of the difficulty in getting a set of any of the variants of these, it remains an attractive and ground-breaking series that has led us to the massive success story of current times, the Lunar Series II. The days when the one-ounce coins struggled to hit a third of their 300k mintage are long gone and the coins fly off the shelf. The numismatic range shines and is still the subject of experimentation. Just one thing though. Can we have the 1/2 kg coin back please?
LUNAR CALENDAR
The Shēngxiào (Chinese: 生肖, literally “birth likeness”), also known in English as the Chinese zodiac (“zodiac” derives from the similar concept in Western Astrology and means “circle of animals”), is a scheme and systematic plan of future action, that relates each year to an animal and its reputed attributes, according to a 12-year cycle. It remains popular in several East Asian countries, such as China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan. We have a full breakdown of the cycles on our Chinese Lunar Calendar page, with all the attributes associated with each animal broken down.
BULLION RANGE
The gold range started out in 1996 as just 1oz and 1/4, 1/10, & 1/20oz fractionals. In 2000, three larger sizes were added, being 2oz, 10oz & 1kg in weight. In 2004 a 1/2oz coin was added to the range which was finally rounded out in the penultimate year, 2006, with a monstrous 10kg giant. All the coins are 99.99% pure.
The silver range underwent a similar evolution, starting out in 1999 with 1kg, 10oz, 2oz, 1oz and 1/2oz sizes. In 2004, 1/2kg and 5oz versions were added. While there were no silver coins minted for the first three lunar animals, demand from collectors led the Perth Mint to strike new designs in the Lunar I style at the same time as they were striking new coins for Lunar II. Thus there are no silver coins dated 1996-1998, but there are dated 2008-2010. This excellent addition gave silver collectors a full set, although they were only minted in 1kg, 2oz and 1oz sizes. All the coins are 99.9% pure.
NUMISMATIC RANGE
For gold there were only ever three numismatic releases, a 1/4oz proof, a 1/10oz proof and a three-coin proof set containing those two sizes partnered up with a 1oz. Clean, simple and unchanging, they were a refreshing change from the variety released today.
By contrast the silver range has, to put it bluntly, been a scene of chaos. Changing sizes, fluctuating maximum mintages and experimentation with colour, gilding and inserts led to in 2004 there being eighteen different numismatic releases. Adding in some more variants only available in other years, like the Year of the Pig Lenticular below, and you have a series in need of guidance.
This particular coin was never repeated for another year and contained an image made up of 24 frames that showed motion when moved.
While the bullion coins are attractive with their reverse finish, the proof coins are the way to show off the artwork, being really beautiful and collectable pieces.
OBVERSE
For the first three years when only gold coins were available, the obverse depicted the excellent portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ralph Maklouf (centre). In 1999 it was changed to the later portrait by Ian Rank Broadley that shows the Queen in an older light and was also used on the silver coins.
The first year the Perth Mint started it’s series, there were only gold coins available and only in four sizes with a single numismatic release, nothing like the coin tsunami we get today!
REVERSE: The design depicts a Mouse climbing over rocky ground with the Chinese character for mouse at the top. The remaining inscriptions include the “1996″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity. Art by Tony Dean.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ralph Maklouf portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: Just a quick glance at the mintage tables below will tell you all you need to know. People liked the one-ounce coin, but every other bullion size dramatically underperformed. In their first year, the Lunars were clearly not the subject of a mad rush to purchase. The proof set sold quite well.
No silver coins were issued in 1996 but due to the rising popularity of the series, the Perth Mint issued both a Lunar Series II and a Lunar Series I coin in 2008. Taking design elements that characterised Series I, such as the pimpled border, and mixed with the date and obverse from Series II. A decision to be applauded, especially as we think this is a superior design.
REVERSE: The design depicts a Mouse rearing on its hind legs with the Chinese character for mouse to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2008″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The bullion coins, despite an unlimited mintage, were not great sellers but the numismatic sales were very poor. Now they’re highly sought after on the secondary market and for good reason. The 3-coin proof set is perhaps the most highly sought after Lunar numismatic released every year and this one has an actual mintage of just 75 pieces! Good luck finding one of those…
GOLD MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | – | – |
| 10 oz | – | – |
| 2 oz | – | – |
| 1 oz | 30,000 | 16,593 |
| 1/2 oz | – | – |
| 1/4 oz | 60,000 | 1,390 |
| 1/10 oz | 80,000 | 3,792 |
| 1/20 oz | 100,000 | 7,405 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 3,888 | 2,886 |
| 1/4 oz PROOF | – | – |
| 1/10 oz PROOF | – | – |
SILVER MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 3,344 |
| 1/2 kg | – | – |
| 10 oz | – | – |
| 5 oz | – | – |
| 2 oz | unltd | 7,221 |
| 1 oz | unltd | 59,623 |
| 1/2 oz | – | – |
| 1 kg PROOF | – | – |
| 2 oz PROOF | 1,000 | 136 |
| 1 oz PROOF | 2,500 | 324 |
| 1/2 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 201 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 1,000 | 75 |
| 1 kg COLOUR | – | – |
| 1/2 kg COLOUR | – | – |
| 10 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 5 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1/2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 kg GEMSTONE | 5,000 | 309 |
| 1 oz GILDED | 50,000 | 13,538 |
| 1 oz LENTICULAR | – | – |
This year saw the introduction of proof versions of the 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz coins. The bullion choices were unchanged over 1996.
REVERSE: The design depicts a Bull standing on sloping ground with the Chinese character for ox on the left. The remaining inscriptions include the “1997″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity. Art by Jovan Radanovich.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ralph Maklouf portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: Sales dropped on the one-ounce coin and didn’t break 50% of the maximum allotted mintage. In their first year, the Lunars were clearly not the subject of a mad rush to purchase. That didn’t change for the second coin. The proof set sold better, and the individual proof coins were quite popular.
No silver coins were issued in 1997 but due to the rising popularity of the series, the Perth Mint issued both a Lunar Series II and a Lunar Series I coin in 2009. Taking design elements that characterised Series I, such as the pimpled border, and mixed with the date and obverse from Series II.
REVERSE: The design depicts a Bull, head down, with the Chinese character for ox to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2009″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The bullion coins, despite an unlimited mintage, were not great sellers, but the numismatic sales were very poor. Now they’re highly sought after on the secondary market, and for good reason. The 3-coin proof set is perhaps the most highly sought after Lunar numismatic released every year, and this one has an actual mintage of just 87 pieces and rarely comes up for sale.
GOLD MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | – | – |
| 10 oz | – | – |
| 2 oz | – | – |
| 1 oz | 30,000 | 13,709 |
| 1/2 oz | – | – |
| 1/4 oz | 60,000 | 2,904 |
| 1/10 oz | 80,000 | 4,960 |
| 1/20 oz | 100,000 | 7,131 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 3,888 | 3,146 |
| 1/4 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 842 |
| 1/10 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 1,067 |
SILVER MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 1,877 |
| 1/2 kg | – | – |
| 10 oz | – | – |
| 5 oz | – | – |
| 2 oz | unltd | 6,465 |
| 1 oz | unltd | 52,267 |
| 1/2 oz | – | – |
| 1 kg PROOF | – | – |
| 2 oz PROOF | 1,000 | 171 |
| 1 oz PROOF | 2,500 | 534 |
| 1/2 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 474 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 1,000 | 87 |
| 1 kg COLOUR | – | – |
| 1/2 kg COLOUR | – | – |
| 10 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 5 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1/2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 kg GEMSTONE | 5,000 | 288 |
| 1 oz GILDED | 50,000 | 18,470 |
| 1 oz LENTICULAR | – | – |
No changes to the line-up of either bullion or numismatic ranges for 1998.
REVERSE: The design depicts a Tiger leaping from the grass, with the Chinese character for tiger at the top. The remaining inscriptions include the “1998″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ralph Maklouf portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: Sales beginning to pick up, although the Tiger being one of the more popular lunar animals will have had a bearing on that.
No silver coins were issued in 1998 but due to the rising popularity of the series, the Perth Mint issued both a Lunar Series II and a Lunar Series I coin in 2010. Taking design elements that characterised Series I, such as the pimpled border, and mixed with the date and obverse from Series II.
REVERSE: The design depicts a full Tiger gazing outwards, with the Chinese character for tiger to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2010″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The bullion coin sales were in line with earlier years and numismatic sales remained poor. The 3-coin proof set is again the most highly sought after Lunar numismatic released and with an actual mintage of just 83 pieces, a real gem to own.
GOLD MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | – | – |
| 10 oz | – | – |
| 2 oz | – | – |
| 1 oz | 30,000 | 16,907 |
| 1/2 oz | – | – |
| 1/4 oz | 60,000 | 5,683 |
| 1/10 oz | 80,000 | 9,085 |
| 1/20 oz | 100,000 | 10,427 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 3,800 | 1,918 |
| 1/4 oz PROOF | 3,000 | 1,123 |
| 1/10 oz PROOF | 3,000 | 916 |
SILVER MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 1,888 |
| 1/2 kg | – | – |
| 10 oz | – | – |
| 5 oz | – | – |
| 2 oz | unltd | 6,520 |
| 1 oz | unltd | 56,077 |
| 1/2 oz | – | – |
| 1 kg PROOF | – | – |
| 2 oz PROOF | 1,000 | 287 |
| 1 oz PROOF | 2,500 | 541 |
| 1/2 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 396 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 1,000 | 83 |
| 1 kg COLOUR | – | – |
| 1/2 kg COLOUR | – | – |
| 10 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 5 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1/2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 kg GEMSTONE | 5,000 | 300 |
| 1 oz GILDED | 50,000 | 17,218 |
| 1 oz LENTICULAR | – | – |
No changes to the line-up of either bullion or numismatic ranges for 1999, with the same four bullion sizes and three numismatic products as previously. The only major change was the switch from the elegant Ralph Maklouf profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, to the newer Ian Rank Broadley version that adorns all Perth Mint coins today.
REVERSE: The design depicts a Rabbit/Hare sitting calmly with the Chinese character for rabbit at the top. The remaining inscriptions include the “1999″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity. Art by Louise Pinder
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: Sales in line with those of the Tiger coins, although the numismatic sales drifted towards the lower end with the more expensive offerings losing ground.
The first year that there was a concurrent release with the gold coins and thus the debut of the silver lunar range. It’s quite remarkable that in light of huge silver sales today, it comes over as an afterthought in the 90’s. Debuting with a range of five sizes from 1/2 oz up to 1 kg.
REVERSE: The design depicts a rabbit gazing upwards with the Chinese character for rabbit to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “1999″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity. Art by Jovan Radanovich.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: Sales were a fraction of what they are today, perhaps reflecting the relative immaturety of the silver market at the time. The one ounce and half ounce coins both had restricted mintages and neither came remotely close to selling out, a far cry from Series II coins in the same sizes.
GOLD MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | – | – |
| 10 oz | – | – |
| 2 oz | – | – |
| 1 oz | 30,000 | 18,261 |
| 1/2 oz | – | – |
| 1/4 oz | 60,000 | 5,893 |
| 1/10 oz | 80,000 | 8,799 |
| 1/20 oz | 100,000 | 9,642 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 3,800 | 1,634 |
| 1/4 oz PROOF | 3,000 | 747 |
| 1/10 oz PROOF | 3,000 | 1,443 |
SILVER MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 1,983 |
| 1/2 kg | – | – |
| 10 oz | unltd | 2,486 |
| 5 oz | – | – |
| 2 oz | unltd | 12,869 |
| 1 oz | 300,000 | 63,644 |
| 1/2 oz | 500,000 | 16,913 |
| 1 kg PROOF | 250 | 111 |
| 2 oz PROOF | 1,000 | 424 |
| 1 oz PROOF | 2,500 | 1,490 |
| 1/2 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 1,081 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 1,000 | 487 |
| 5 PROOF SET | 500 | 129 |
| 1/2 kg COLOUR | – | – |
| 10 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 5 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1/2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 kg GEMSTONE | 5,000 | 318 |
| 1 oz GILDED | 50,000 | 15,482 |
| 1 oz LENTICULAR | – | – |
A big expansion to the range of gold bullion coins available for the landmark millenial Dragon year. Unlimited mintage versions were released in 1 kg, 10 oz and 2 oz sizes. There were no changes on the numismatics front.
REVERSE: The design depicts a traditional Chinese dragon in a dynamic pose surrounded by flames and a pearl of wisdom with the Chinese character for dragon at the top. The remaining inscriptions include the “2000″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity. Art by Tony Dean.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: For the first time ever, the one-ounce coin maxed out its mintage limit, a feat that would be maintained for three years. Sales of the other limited mintage sizes were also up greatly on previous years.
Still early days for the range and although sales were up, the silver coins were nowhere near as popular as they are today
REVERSE: The design depicts a traditional Chinese Dragon with a pearl of wisdom with the Chinese character for dragon to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2000″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: Equally huge jumps in silver sales from 1999 point more to the popularity of the Dragon as a symbol of Chinese culture than any inherent rise in the popularity of the Lunars because of movements in the silver market. An additional 1,000 one ounce coins were minted for inclusion in a special ’21st Century’ set with three other coins to celebrate the millenium.
GOLD MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 227 |
| 10 oz | unltd | 214 |
| 2 oz | unltd | 2,342 |
| 1 oz | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| 1/2 oz | – | – |
| 1/4 oz | 60,000 | 20,148 |
| 1/10 oz | 80,000 | 23,706 |
| 1/20 oz | 100,000 | 29,325 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 3,000 | 2,886 |
| 1/4 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 2,008 |
| 1/10 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 3,841 |
SILVER MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 7,805 |
| 1/2 kg | – | – |
| 10 oz | unltd | 7,926 |
| 5 oz | – | – |
| 2 oz | unltd | 29,110 |
| 1 oz | 300,000 | 118,697 |
| 1/2 oz | 500,000 | 52,956 |
| 1 kg PROOF | 250 | 220 |
| 2 oz PROOF | 1,000 | 838 |
| 1 oz PROOF | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 1/2 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 1,750 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 1,000 | 982 |
| 5 PROOF SET | 500 | 266 |
| 1/2 kg COLOUR | – | – |
| 10 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 5 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1/2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 kg GEMSTONE | 5,000 | 3,404 |
| 1 oz GILDED | 50,000 | 20,447 |
| 1 oz LENTICULAR | – | – |
The expansion of the range for the 2000 Dragon coins has remained for 2001
REVERSE: The design depicts a semi-coiled snake hanging from a branch with the Chinese character for snake to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2001″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The one-ounce coin sold out completely and the maximum mintages of the numismatic coins were all increased by 2,000 each despite never selling out at the lower maximums. Ironically, sales dropped heavily anyway.
An excellent design adorns the silver coin, arguably far better than the 2013 artwork for Series II.
REVERSE: The design depicts a snake protecting a clutch of eggs, one of which is hatching, with the Chinese character for snake to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2001″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: A big drop in sales from the previous year, much like the one that happened for series II. An inherent statement on the lesser popularity of the Snake compared to the Dragon. There were also an additional 5,000 one ounce coins earmarked for inclusion in a second, special ’21st Century’ set with three other coins, but sales reached only 942 units. Of particular note were sales of the one-kilo Gemstone Edition which crashed almost 90% from 2000.
GOLD MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 156 |
| 10 oz | unltd | 153 |
| 2 oz | unltd | 1,295 |
| 1 oz | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| 1/2 oz | – | – |
| 1/4 oz | 60,000 | 8,436 |
| 1/10 oz | 80,000 | 19,281 |
| 1/20 oz | 100,000 | 19,738 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 5,000 | 1,223 |
| 1/4 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 1,487 |
| 1/10 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 1,860 |
SILVER MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 7,805 |
| 1/2 kg | – | – |
| 10 oz | unltd | 7,926 |
| 5 oz | – | – |
| 2 oz | unltd | 29,110 |
| 1 oz | 300,000 | 118,697 |
| 1/2 oz | 500,000 | 52,956 |
| 1 kg PROOF | 250 | 201 |
| 2 oz PROOF | 1,000 | 939 |
| 1 oz PROOF | 2,500 | 2,466 |
| 1/2 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 1,135 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 1,000 | 599 |
| 5 PROOF SET | 500 | 289 |
| 1/2 kg COLOUR | – | – |
| 10 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 5 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1/2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 kg GEMSTONE | 5,000 | 349 |
| 1 oz GILDED | 50,000 | 16,335 |
| 1 oz LENTICULAR | – | – |
No changes to the range for 2002.
REVERSE: The design depicts a horse galloping forward with the Chinese character for horse to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2002″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity. Art by Travis Farley.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The one-ounce coin sold out completely again, but none of the numismatic coins sold spectacularly well making finding them today more difficult.
Business as usual with no changes to the sizes of either the bullion or the numismatic ranges.
REVERSE: The design depicts a horse in full gallop, with the Chinese character for horse at the top. The remaining inscriptions include the “2002″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity. Art by Travis Farley.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: There was no special ’21st Century’ set and the concept was never revisited.
GOLD MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 163 |
| 10 oz | unltd | 191 |
| 2 oz | unltd | 1,291 |
| 1 oz | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| 1/2 oz | – | – |
| 1/4 oz | 60,000 | 10,187 |
| 1/10 oz | 80,000 | 18,434 |
| 1/20 oz | 100,000 | 27,338 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 5,000 | 1,471 |
| 1/4 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 1,341 |
| 1/10 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 724 |
SILVER MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 4,338 |
| 1/2 kg | – | – |
| 10 oz | unltd | 5,537 |
| 5 oz | – | – |
| 2 oz | unltd | 19,359 |
| 1 oz | 300,000 | 99,632 |
| 1/2 oz | 500,000 | 42,824 |
| 1 kg PROOF | 250 | 71 |
| 2 oz PROOF | 1,000 | 772 |
| 1 oz PROOF | 2,500 | 1,665 |
| 1/2 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 1,464 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 1,000 | 278 |
| 5 PROOF SET | 500 | 68 |
| 1/2 kg COLOUR | – | – |
| 10 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 5 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1/2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 kg GEMSTONE | 5,000 | 883 |
| 1 oz GILDED | 50,000 | 16,859 |
| 1 oz LENTICULAR | – | – |
A great design for an undramatic animal and certainly raises hopes for the 2015 Series II coins.
REVERSE: The design depicts a goat looking around attentively with the Chinese character for goat to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2003″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity. Art by Travis Farley.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The one-ounce coin failed by a large margin to reach the sell-out levels of the previous three years and none of the numismatics were remotely close to maxing out their mintages. The 3-coin set had it’s maximum mintage lowered back to 3,000.
Equally a fine piece of artwork. Here’s hoping the 2015 coin is as well done.
REVERSE: The design depicts a female goat and a kid with the Chinese character for goat to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2003″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity. Art by Sarah Anderson.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The five-coin proof set is the stand-out purchase, with a miniscule mintage of just 48 sets meaning it’s one of the very rarest of the numismatic silver offerings.
GOLD MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 109 |
| 10 oz | unltd | 153 |
| 2 oz | unltd | 1,355 |
| 1 oz | 30,000 | 16,775 |
| 1/2 oz | – | – |
| 1/4 oz | 60,000 | 8,479 |
| 1/10 oz | 80,000 | 14,966 |
| 1/20 oz | 100,000 | 17,892 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 3,000 | 1,187 |
| 1/4 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 782 |
| 1/10 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 1,816 |
SILVER MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 4,338 |
| 1/2 kg | – | – |
| 10 oz | unltd | 5,537 |
| 5 oz | – | – |
| 2 oz | unltd | 19,359 |
| 1 oz | 300,000 | 99,632 |
| 1/2 oz | 500,000 | 42,824 |
| 1 kg PROOF | 250 | 57 |
| 2 oz PROOF | 1,000 | 417 |
| 1 oz PROOF | 2,500 | 1,237 |
| 1/2 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 776 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 1,000 | 204 |
| 5 PROOF SET | 500 | 48 |
| 1/2 kg COLOUR | – | – |
| 10 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 5 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1/2 oz COLOUR | – | – |
| 1 kg GEMSTONE | 5,000 | 492 |
| 1 oz GILDED | 50,000 | 15,842 |
| 1 oz LENTICULAR | – | – |
It’s hard to make a monkey look bad and this is a great looking design and one of the most popular lunar animals. This year a half-ounce coin with a 40k mintage was added to the range. No numismatic versions of it were produced, however.
REVERSE: The design depicts a determined looking monkey walking along a branch with the Chinese character for monkey at the top. The remaining inscriptions include the “2004″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity. Art by Jovan Radanovich.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: Sales of the numismatic coins were pretty low and even though the maximum mintage of the 3-coin set remained at the lower 3,000, it barely scraped a third of that in sales. A set to watch out for given the low 999 sets produced and the great design.
A weaker piece of artwork than the super gold one, but nice enough. The big news this year was the explosion in numismatic choice from the 8 in 2003, to a ridiculous 18 offerings, an amount never to be repeated.
REVERSE: The design depicts a monkey sitting on a branch surrounded by leaves with the Chinese character for monkey to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2004″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The debut of a range of coloured coins this year, as well as an expansion of the gilded range and a first appearance of a new favourite, the Silver Typeset Collection. It looks like the Perth Mint was experimenting and the gilded coins proved popular. Also added were 1/2 kg and 5 oz bullion coins.
GOLD MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 195 |
| 10 oz | unltd | 265 |
| 2 oz | unltd | 1,470 |
| 1 oz | 30,000 | 16,868 |
| 1/2 oz | 40,000 | 4,228 |
| 1/4 oz | 60,000 | 7,284 |
| 1/10 oz | 80,000 | 14,060 |
| 1/20 oz | 100,000 | 15,898 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 3,000 | 999 |
| 1/4 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 402 |
| 1/10 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 967 |
SILVER MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 5,095 |
| 1/2 kg | unltd | 1,287 |
| 10 oz | unltd | 3,735 |
| 5 oz | unltd | 3,592 |
| 2 oz | unltd | 18,124 |
| 1 oz | 300,000 | 105,680 |
| 1/2 oz | 500,000 | 52,792 |
| 1 kg PROOF | 250 | 39 |
| 2 oz PROOF | 1,000 | 264 |
| 1 oz PROOF | 2,500 | 931 |
| 1/2 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 674 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 1,000 | 172 |
| 5 PROOF SET | 500 | 84 |
| 1 kg COLOUR | 6,800 | 1,927 |
| 1/2 kg COLOUR | 3,800 | 2,180 |
| 10 oz COLOUR | 5,000 | 2,329 |
| 5 oz COLOUR | 8,800 | 4,670 |
| 2 oz COLOUR | 28,000 | 6,399 |
| 1 oz COLOUR | 38,000 | 31,406 |
| 1/2 oz COLOUR | 38,000 | 26,192 |
| 1 kg GEMSTONE | 5,000 | 466 |
| 1 kg GILDED | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| 5 oz GILDED/COL | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| 1 oz GILDED | 50,000 | 25,599 |
| 4 COIN TYPESET | 800 | 509 |
The half-ounce coin stays in the range
REVERSE: The design depicts a rooster sitting on a rock crowing to the rising sun with the Chinese character for rooster to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2005″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The quarter-ounce gold coin is the low mintage numismatic to watch.
A packed-in design starting to show signs of what was to come with series II.
REVERSE: The design depicts an alert rooster with the rising sun in the background and the Chinese character for rooster to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2005″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The coloured coins continued to be super sellers with the gilded not far behind. The 5-coin set and the 4-coin Typeset have disappeared from the line-up leaving just the three coin set to hold the fort. The 1 kg proof is also strangely absent.
GOLD MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 230 |
| 10 oz | unltd | 240 |
| 2 oz | unltd | 2,129 |
| 1 oz | 30,000 | 19,729 |
| 1/2 oz | 40,000 | 4,506 |
| 1/4 oz | 60,000 | 6,450 |
| 1/10 oz | 80,000 | 15,109 |
| 1/20 oz | 100,000 | 18,220 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 3,000 | 1,388 |
| 1/4 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 573 |
| 1/10 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 1,152 |
SILVER MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 3,818 |
| 1/2 kg | unltd | 1,307 |
| 10 oz | unltd | 2,775 |
| 5 oz | unltd | 5,585 |
| 2 oz | unltd | 16,292 |
| 1 oz | 300,000 | 92,691 |
| 1/2 oz | 500,000 | 37,994 |
| 1 kg PROOF | – | – |
| 2 oz PROOF | 1,000 | 262 |
| 1 oz PROOF | 2,500 | 1,441 |
| 1/2 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 607 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 1,000 | 293 |
| 5 PROOF SET | – | – |
| 1 kg COLOUR | 6,800 | 2,124 |
| 1/2 kg COLOUR | 3,800 | 3,800 |
| 10 oz COLOUR | 5,000 | 1,280 |
| 5 oz COLOUR | 8,800 | 8,800 |
| 2 oz COLOUR | 28,000 | 6,868 |
| 1 oz COLOUR | 38,000 | 38,000 |
| 1/2 oz COLOUR | 38,000 | 38,000 |
| 1 kg GEMSTONE | 5,000 | 588 |
| 1 oz GILDED | 50,000 | 28,960 |
| 5 oz GILDED/COL | 10,000 | 4,665 |
| 1 oz GILDED/COL | 15,000 | 8,832 |
| 4 COIN TYPESET | – | – |
The only change to the line-up for this year was the appearance of a monster ten kilo coin with a maximum mintage of just 20 pieces. Amazingly, the Perth Mint sold 10 of them and along with just 6 Year of the Pig coins, remain the crowning glory of the entire Lunar Series I range.
REVERSE: The design depicts a labrador type dog standing on grass, gazing forward with the Chinese character for dog to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2006″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The one-ounce gold coin came very close to selling out for the first time since 2002.
Yet again there are changes to the silver line-up. The 1 kg proof is back and the gilded range is pared back to a single coin. Most disappointingly, the 1/2 kg bullion coin has gone, never to return. It’s a personal favourite, being the same diameter as the full one-kilo coin but at half the price.
REVERSE: The design depicts an alsatian sitting and staring, and the Chinese character for dog to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2006″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The 1 kg proof is back and managed to sell-out, as did the 1 oz. The coloured coins continue to do really well but the gilded/coloured coins have gone altogether.
GOLD MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | 20 | 10 |
| 1 kg | unltd | 137 |
| 10 oz | unltd | 195 |
| 2 oz | unltd | 2,460 |
| 1 oz | 30,000 | 26,334 |
| 1/2 oz | 40,000 | 5,767 |
| 1/4 oz | 60,000 | 6,009 |
| 1/10 oz | 80,000 | 12,017 |
| 1/20 oz | 100,000 | 15,737 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 3,000 | 1,274 |
| 1/4 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 777 |
| 1/10 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 1,620 |
SILVER MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 3,818 |
| 1/2 kg | unltd | 1,307 |
| 10 oz | unltd | 2,775 |
| 5 oz | unltd | 5,585 |
| 2 oz | unltd | 16,292 |
| 1 oz | 300,000 | 92,691 |
| 1/2 oz | 500,000 | 37,994 |
| 1 kg PROOF | 100 | 100 |
| 2 oz PROOF | 1,000 | 688 |
| 1 oz PROOF | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 1/2 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 1,281 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 1,000 | 387 |
| 5 PROOF SET | – | – |
| 1 kg COLOUR | 7,000 | 2,004 |
| 1/2 kg COLOUR | 7,000 | 3,406 |
| 10 oz COLOUR | 5,000 | 1,014 |
| 5 oz COLOUR | 20,000 | 20,000 |
| 2 oz COLOUR | 40,000 | 3,240 |
| 1 oz COLOUR | 70,000 | 58,373 |
| 1/2 oz COLOUR | 70,000 | 29,158 |
| 1 kg GEMSTONE | 5,000 | 504 |
| 1 oz GILDED | 50,000 | 30,156 |
| 5 oz GILDED/COL | – | – |
| 1 oz GILDED/COL | – | – |
| 4 COIN TYPESET | – | – |
The 12th and final year in the Lunar Series I sequence features the Pig. The full range of sizes was up for sale.
REVERSE: The design depicts a standing in mud with the Chinese character for pig to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2007″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The one-ounce gold coin came very close to selling out for the first time since 2002.
The special this year was a special lenticular coin with a high mintage and a full sell-out.
REVERSE: The design depicts a pig standing on a bed of leaves, and the Chinese character for pig to the right. The remaining inscriptions include the “2007″ year date and the precious metal weight and purity.
OBVERSE: This carries the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
NOTES: The big seller was the one-ounce coloured coin which sold out and had a mintage not far off the bullion coin, a far cry from current release.
GOLD MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | 20 | 6 |
| 1 kg | unltd | 114 |
| 10 oz | unltd | 192 |
| 2 oz | unltd | 3,613 |
| 1 oz | 30,000 | 18,149 |
| 1/2 oz | 40,000 | 7,694 |
| 1/4 oz | 60,000 | 6,486 |
| 1/10 oz | 80,000 | 11,216 |
| 1/20 oz | 100,000 | 10,308 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 3,000 | 1,556 |
| 1/4 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 650 |
| 1/10 oz PROOF | 7,000 | 1,474 |
SILVER MINTAGE
| SIZE | MAX | ACTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | – | – |
| 1 kg | unltd | 3,818 |
| 1/2 kg | unltd | 1,307 |
| 10 oz | unltd | 2,775 |
| 5 oz | unltd | 5,585 |
| 2 oz | unltd | 16,292 |
| 1 oz | 300,000 | 92,691 |
| 1/2 oz | 500,000 | 37,994 |
| 1 kg PROOF | 100 | 100 |
| 2 oz PROOF | 1,000 | 369 |
| 1 oz PROOF | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 1/2 oz PROOF | 5,000 | 1,006 |
| 3 PROOF SET | 1,000 | 333 |
| 5 PROOF SET | – | – |
| 1 kg COLOUR | 7,000 | 1,695 |
| 1/2 kg COLOUR | 7,000 | 2,524 |
| 10 oz COLOUR | 5,000 | 1,064 |
| 5 oz COLOUR | 20,000 | 13,201 |
| 2 oz COLOUR | 40,000 | 2,144 |
| 1 oz COLOUR | 70,000 | 70,000 |
| 1/2 oz COLOUR | 70,000 | 63,224 |
| 1 kg GEMSTONE | 5,000 | 525 |
| 1 oz GILDED | 50,000 | 29,251 |
| 5 oz GILDED/COL | – | – |
| 1 oz GILDED/COL | – | – |
| 1 oz LENTICULAR | 31,227 | 31,227 |
BULLION MINTAGES
SPECIFICATION
GOLD
| COIN | DENOMINATION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10kg | $30,000 AUD | 10,001g | 180mm |
| 1kg | $3,000 AUD | 1,001.1g | 75.3mm |
| 10oz | $1,000 AUD | 311.067g | 60.3mm |
| 2oz | $200 AUD | 62.215g | 40.6mm |
| 1oz | $100 AUD | 31.112g | 32.1mm |
| 1/2oz | $50 AUD | 15.554g | 25.1mm |
| 1/4oz | $25 AUD | 7.777g | 20.1mm |
| 1/10oz | $15 AUD | 3.111g | 16.1mm |
| 1/20oz | $5 AUD | 1.556g | 14.1mm |
SILVER
| COIN | DENOMINATION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10kg | $300 AUD | 10,001g | 221mm |
| 1kg | $30 AUD | 1,001.1g | 101mm |
| 1/2kg | $15 AUD | 500.55g | 101mm |
| 10oz | $10 AUD | 311.1g | 75.5mm |
| 5oz | $8 AUD | 155.54g | 60.3mm |
| 2oz | $2 AUD | 62.22g | 50.3mm |
| 1oz | $1 AUD | 31.11g | 40.6mm |
| 1/2oz | $0.5 AUD | 15.55g | 32.1mm |
More than happy to own my complete Series 1 “Proof” set of 1 ounce – awesome quality and NOW rarer than Rocking Horse poo!
Congratulations!! You completed your collection for 1 oz gold proof?
It supposed to say “2OUNCE”