5 oz. Australian Lunar Silver Bullion Coin Series I & II

2004 - Present

In 2004, The Perth Mint added two silver bullion coins to the Lunar Series, the coins were the $15 Dollars (1/2kg.) and the $8.00 Dollar (5 oz.) bullion coins.

The 1/2 kilogram silver bullion coin was discontinued in 2011, however the Perth Mint still produces the 5 oz. Silver Lunar Bullion Coin.

The Australian lunar series of bullion coins often have higher premiums added to their sell price due to the polished look of the coins and the coin's yearly limited mintage.

Since the silver lunar coin's release, the Series I and more recently the Series II Lunar bullion coins have become one of the most popular modern silver investment coins.

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Design of the
5 oz. Australian Lunar Silver
Series I & II - Bullion Coin

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Series I : Obverse

The obverse side of the Australian Lunar 5 oz. Silver bullion coin displays the profile of her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II designed by Ian Rank-Broadley.

His initial's "IRB" is inscribed directly below the Queen's neck.

The words "ELIZABETH II", "AUSTRALIA" and "8 DOLLARS" are displayed inside the outer perimeter of the bullion coin.

The Australian Lunar Silver Coin is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act of 1965, which means the coin is guaranteed by the Government of Australia.

Series I - Obverse Coin photo provided courtesy of the Coin Page

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Series I : Reverse

The reverse of the 5 oz. silver bullion coin shows an image of the animal associated with each Chinese Lunar Calendar year.

On one side of the silver lunar animal is the Chinese Symbol that represents it, and on the other side of the animal is the coin's 'Year of Issue.'

The reverse side of the Series I, Australian Lunar Silver bullion coin  displays the weight "5 OZ" and the purity of the silver coin "999 SILVER" below the Lunar Animal.

The Series I silver bullion coin has no Mint Mark.

Series I - Reverse coin photo provided courtesy of The Coin Page

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Series II : Obverse

The centerpiece of the obverse side on all Australian bullion coins is the profile of Queen Elizabeth the II.

The design of the Queen was created by Ian Rank-Broadley, his initial's "IRB" is inscribed directly below the Queen's neck.

Her name "ELIZABETH II" and "AUSTRALIA" are inscribed along the top half of the bullion coin.

Along the bottom half of the silver bullion coin is the coin's weight of "5OZ" and the coin's silver purity of "9999 Ag."

The coin's Year of Issue and the face value of "8 DOLLARS" is also displayed along the bottom half of the silver bullion coin.

Note: 2018 is the first year the Silver Lunar Bullion Coins have the purity of .9999 silver.

Series II - Obverse side photo provided courtesy of The Perth Mint

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Series II : Reverse

The center piece of the reverse side of the 2018, 5 oz. Australian Lunar Silver bullion coin is the Lunar Dog.

The reverse of each 2018 silver lunar coin depicts a German Shepherd dog and pup lying in the grass with Chinese peony flowers in the background.

Inscribed inside the design of the Lunar bullion coin is the Chinese symbol that represents the Lunar animal.

Displayed in the lowest cluster of Chinese peony flowers, above the larger German Shepard's tail, are the letters 'IJ,' they are the initial's 'Ing Ing Jong,' the designer of the 2018 Lunar Silver bullion coin's reverse side.

Across the bottom of the 2018 coin are the words "Year of the Dog"

The "P" on the reverse side is the Mint Mark for The Perth Mint.

Both the Series I & II silver bullion coins have Reeded Edges

Series II - Reverse side photo provided courtesy of The Perth Mint

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The Chinese Calendar In 2637 B.C., a Chinese Emperor named Huangdi invented the Chinese Calendar. The Chinese calendar is based on a twelve-year cycle of astronomical observations of the sun and the phases of the moon. Each year in that twelve-year cycle has an animal sign. The Chinese believe each animal has a profound influence on those born under the year of its rule. 2018 - Year of the Dog The birth years for people ruled by the Chinese Lunar dog include 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 and 2018. Those born under the influence of this sign are said to be loyal, amiable, kind and friendly.   (The Perth Mint)

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5 oz. Silver Lunar Series I & II
Coin Information:

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Series I:................2004 - 2007

Series II:...............2008 - Present

IRA Approved:.......Yes

Coin Grade:...........Uncirculated

Face Value:...........$8 AUD (Series I; 2004 - 2007)

Face Value:...........$5 AUD (Series II; 2008 - Present)

Silver Content:......5 troy oz. (ozt.)

Total Weight:........156.673 grams

Purity:..................99.90% / .999 (2004 - 2017)

Purity:..................99.99% / .9999 (2018 - Present)

Diameter:........,.....65.60 mm

Thickness:........,....6.14 mm

Mint Mark:.........,...Series I - No / Series II - Yes ("P" = Perth Mint)

Designer:........,.....Ian Rank-Broadley (obverse)

Edge:..............,.....Reeded

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5 oz. Australian Lunar Silver Coin
Bullion Series I & II
Mintage Figures

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Series I

Year.....Sales......Lunar Animal

2004.....3,592......Monkey

2005.....5,585......Rooster

2006.....5,080......Dog

2007.....3,229......Pig

Series II

Year.....Sales......Mintage.......Lunar Animal

2008.....3,005.....unlimited........Mouse

2009.....4,720.....unlimited........Ox

2010.....14,553...unlimited........Tiger

2011.....8,030.....unlimited........Rabbit

2012.....31,664....unlimited.......Dragon

2013.....20,552....unlimited.......Snake

2014.....31,232....unlimited.......Horse

2015.....16,920....unlimited.......Goat

2016.....23,486....unlimited.......Monkey

2017.....12,331....unlimited.......Rooster

2018............0....unlimited.......Dog

Mintage figures were last updated on 02/17/17, by the Perth Mint

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