Lunar Series
Also: Lunar Coin, Chinese Zodiac Series, Perth Mint Lunar
The Lunar Series is a collection of gold and silver investment coins struck each year by the Perth Mint (Australia), each carrying the motif of the current Chinese zodiac animal.
The Lunar Series is one of the best-known and most collected ranges of investment coins in the world. Issued by the Perth Mint — one of the most respected minting houses anywhere — a new edition appears each year bearing the motif of the current Chinese zodiac animal. The twelve-year cycle runs through Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
History and series
The Perth Mint launched the Lunar Series in 1996 with Series I (dates 1996–2007). After the first full zodiac cycle ran its course, Series II followed in 2008 (2008–2019) with reworked, more detailed coin designs. Since 2020 Series III has been running, offering fresh artwork once again and a slightly altered edge.
Denominations and metals
The Lunar Series is issued in gold and silver, and occasionally in platinum and palladium. The main denominations at a glance:
| Weight | Metal | Fineness |
|---|---|---|
| 1/20 oz | Gold | 999.9 |
| 1/10 oz | Gold | 999.9 |
| 1/4 oz | Gold | 999.9 |
| 1/2 oz | Gold | 999.9 |
| 1 oz | Gold | 999.9 |
| 2 oz | Gold | 999.9 |
| 10 oz | Gold | 999.9 |
| 1 kg | Gold | 999.9 |
| 1/2 oz | Silver | 999 |
| 1 oz | Silver | 999 |
| 2 oz | Silver | 999 |
| 5 oz | Silver | 999 |
| 10 oz | Silver | 999 |
| 1 kg | Silver | 999 |
Every denomination carries a legal face value in Australian dollars and is therefore official tender — although its material value exceeds the face value many times over. The fine weight can be verified with the Coin Weight Check.
Bullion versus proof
The Lunar Series appears in two finishes:
- Bullion (investment coin): matte background, aimed at investors, larger mintages, lower premium.
- Proof: mirror-polished background, frosted motif, limited mintage, elaborate packaging with a certificate — aimed more at collectors.
There is a substantial price gap between the two: proof editions command significantly higher premiums over the pure metal value. The current gold price and silver price form the basis for valuing the metal content in each case.
Melt value and premium
The melt value of a 1-ounce gold Lunar coin is close to the current gold spot price for a troy ounce, since the fineness is 999.9/1000:
Melt value (EUR) = spot price (EUR/oz) × fineness × weight (oz)
Work out the exact melt value for any weight or fineness with the Melt Value Calculator.
The premium on bullion Lunar coins typically runs between 3% and 10% over the metal value for gold, depending on denomination and vintage; for silver it is considerably higher due to VAT and smaller unit sizes. Smaller units (e.g. 1/10 oz) carry a proportionally higher premium than the 1 oz standard coin.
Tax treatment (not tax advice)
Gold coins in the Lunar Series (e.g. 1 oz gold) qualify in Ireland as investment gold and are therefore VAT-exempt under the VAT Consolidation Act 2010, provided the statutory criteria are met (fineness of at least 900/1000, struck after 1800, legal tender or formerly legal tender). Silver Lunar coins, by contrast, carry the standard Irish VAT rate of 23%. A private individual's gain on selling these coins is liable to Capital Gains Tax at 33%, after the annual personal exemption of EUR 1,270, with no holding-period relief. (In Germany, by contrast, gains are exempt after a one-year holding period.) For binding rulings, consult a qualified adviser — this is not tax advice.
In brief
The Perth Mint's Lunar Series pairs top-tier coin quality (999.9 fineness) with the cultural appeal of the Chinese zodiac calendar. It works both as a bullion coin for investing and as a collectible — although the premium varies widely with finish and denomination.