Series: Australian Lunar Calendar I

Series History: The Australian Lunar Calendar I series of bullion coins was released by the Perth Mint in Australia. First released in 1996, the series has become one of the most famous and coveted among collectors and investors. The series was inspired by the Chinese lunar calendar, which divides each year of the 12-year cycle into different animal signs. Each coin is dedicated to one of the animals of the Chinese horoscope: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Over its 12 years (1996 to 2007), the series covered the entire cycle of the Chinese calendar.
Materials: The coins are minted from pure gold (9999 fineness) and silver (999 fineness). They are also available in a variety of weights, including 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz, 10 oz and 1 kilogram for silver and 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz and 1 oz for gold. This makes the series accessible to investors with a variety of budgets. Obverse: The obverse of all coins features the profile of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley. As with all Commonwealth coins, the Queen’s name and face value are engraved around the rim.
Reverse: The reverse of each coin features an animal corresponding to the year of issue according to the Chinese zodiac. The design changes each year, making each coin unique and exciting for collectors. The reverse also shows the weight, purity of the metal and the year of issue.
Key factors of the series:
- The purity and variety of weights of the coins make them accessible to a wide range of investors.
- The changing design based on the Chinese zodiac signs makes the series attractive to collectors.
- High fineness of gold and silver guarantees the durability of the investment.
- The inclusion of a cultural element (Eastern calendar) increases the aesthetic appeal of the series.