Australia Lunar Gold Coins (1996-2007)

Posted by slang on July 28, 2009

Australia is famous for its Australia Kangaroo gold coins(Australian Nugget) which are good investment items for coin collectors and or investors.

Besides these Australian nuggets, for those who wish to enjoy the Zodiac/Lunar Theme and to gain price appreciation vide investing in gold and the limited mintage, Perth Mint of Australia has issued the Australia Lunar Gold Bullion Coin Series which has Pure 99.9% solid gold legal tender coins

Background:

• Australia began producing the Lunar gold coins series in 1996 with the first year design of “Year of the Rat” or “Year of the Mouse”.

• These Australian government legal tender coins are minted at the Perth (Australia) Mint.  The gold lunar designs depict the Chinese Lunar Calendar, with 12 fascinating animal zodiac-like characters.  Each year the coin design changes to match the China calendar’s 12-year cycle.  Reverse side depicts Queen Elizabeth’s portrait.

• This issuance is known as Lunar Gold Coin Series 1 : Mouse(1996), Ox(1997), Tiger(1998), Rabbit(1999), Dragon(2000), Snake(2001), Horse(2002),Goat(2003), Monkey(2004),Rooster(2005), Dog(2006) and Pig(2007).Four different sizes are made each year.  The investment can be in 1/20 ounce up to 1 ounce gold bullion.

• The coins in this series are struck from 99.99% pure gold, in bullion quality, with a highly polished design on a frosted background.  All coins are legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965 and bear an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination on the obverse.”

• Like the Australian Nugget (Kangaroo), these lunar bullion investment coins have strict production quantity limits.  Maximum mintages of each years design are limited to: 30,000 1ounce, 60,000 1/4 oz, 80,000 1/10 oz and 100,000 1/20oz

Technical Information from Perth Mint

SIZE	1 oz	1/2 oz	1/4 oz	1/10 oz	1/20 oz
Gold Content Troy ounce	1	1/2	1/4	1/10	1/20
Denomination Australia dollar	100	50	25	15	5
Fineness % of purity	99.99	99.99	99.99	99.99	99.99
Maximum Diameter in millimeters (mm)	32.10	25.10	20.10	16.10	14.10

Other Zodiac signs:Rooster and Bull/Cow