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Why Invest in the Australian Lunar Series?
The strength of the Lunar Series lies in its scarcity. Because each design is only struck for a single year, significant collector value often develops alongside the intrinsic silver value. With a purity of 999.9/1000 and legal tender status, these coins provide the security you expect from a premium product. The Lunar Series is therefore one of the most sought-after collections within our full range of silver coins.
At The Silver Mountain, you can follow the real-time silver price, ensuring you always order your Silver Lunar coins at the most current rates.
About the silver Lunar series
- Origin: officially struck by the prestigious Perth Mint (Australia).
- Purity: guaranteed .9999 fine silver (24-karat silver).
- Uniqueness: Annually changing designs based on the Chinese Zodiac.
- Variety: available in various sizes ranging from 1/2 oz to 1 kilo of silver.
- Potential: limited mintage drives numismatic value growth.
- VAT Margin: pre-owned coins are particularly cost-effective for private investors.
Available Sizes: From 1/2 oz to 1 kg Silver
The Lunar Series is accessible for every budget. Whether you are starting a collection or building a large position in physical silver, there is always a suitable weight available.
| Weight | Grams | Key Features for Collectors |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 oz | 15.55 g | Ideal as an entry-level coin or a high-quality gift. |
| 1 oz | 31.10 g | The standard size with the strictest annual mintage (max. 300,000). |
| 2 to 10 oz | 62.2 - 311 g | Larger designs; lower mintages increase exclusivity. |
| 1 kg | 1,000 g | Impressive format often offering the lowest price per gram. |
History of Lunar Series I, II, and III
To understand the value of your collection, it is important to distinguish between the different series:
Lunar Series I (1996 – 2007)
The pioneer series. These coins have smaller diameters and are now rare collector's items, primarily available through our buy-back (pre-owned) inventory.
Lunar Series II (2008 – 2019)
The series that put the Lunar coin on the global map. Known for the larger diameter of the 1 oz coin and highly refined, realistic artwork.
Lunar Series III (2020 – 2031)
The current generation. This series features state-of-the-art security, the 'P' mint mark, and the latest effigy of King Charles III on the obverse of recent releases.
Hoe herkent u een authentieke zilveren Lunar munt?
For collectors, authenticity is essential. The Perth Mint maintains strict security standards, allowing an original Silver Lunar coin to be recognized by the following features:
- The 'P' Mint Mark: many official Lunar coins feature a small 'P' on the reverse (the animal side). This is the official mint mark of the Perth Mint.
- Micro-laser engraving: in many recent releases from the Perth Mint, a microscopic security letter is engraved into the design.
- Exact specifications: a genuine 1 oz Lunar coin has an exact diameter of 40.60 mm and a thickness of 3.21 mm. At The Silver Mountain, we strictly verify every coin from the secondary market for weight and purity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Silver Lunar Coins
These are the most frequently asked questions about the Silver Lunar Coins
What is the difference between Lunar Series I, II, and III?
The difference lies mainly in the period of issue and the visual design. Series I began in 1996, followed by the larger diameter coins of Series II in 2008. The current Series III (starting in 2020) offers the most modern finish and security features.
How is the value of a Silver Lunar coin determined?
The price consists of the current silver spot price plus a premium. Once a coin enters the secondary market, its limited mintage and the popularity of specific zodiac signs (such as the Dragon or the Horse) can significantly drive prices above the silver spot price.
Why are secondary market (pre-owned) Lunar coins attractive?
Coins sourced from the secondary market fall under the VAT margin scheme. This means that as a private buyer, you do not pay 21% VAT on the full value; instead, the VAT is only applied to the dealer's margin. This makes them significantly more cost-effective.
Are all Lunar coins from the Perth Mint?
The Australian Lunar Series from the Perth Mint is the global standard due to its consistent quality and legal tender status. While other mints also use Lunar themes, Perth Mint coins remain the most sought-after by collectors due to their guaranteed purity and strict mintage limits.