Homepage / Bullion Coins: Australian Coins / 1/2 oz. Australian Lunar Gold

Last Updated on 08/12/2026

1/2 oz. Australian Lunar Gold
Bullion Coin
Series I, II, and III

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2004 - Present

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Design of the
1/2 oz. Australian Lunar Gold
Bullion Coin
Series I, II, and III

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Series I : Obverse

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The obverse of the Australian Lunar Gold Coin - Bullion Series I displays the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by designer Ian Rank-Broadley.

Series I : Obverse Coin photo Courtesy of the Coin Page

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Series I : Reverse

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The reverse side of each Series I Australian Lunar Gold bullion coin features an image of the Lunar Animal for its Chinese Lunar year, with the 2005 coin depicting a Rooster crowing at sunrise.

Inscriptions:

• 雞 - Chinese symbol for Rooster
• Year of Issue
• 1/2 OZ 9999 GOLD

The Edge on the gold bullion coin is reeded.

Note: In 1999, the Series I Australian Lunar gold bullion coins featured a unique "P100" mint mark, commemorating the Perth Mint's "100th Anniversary." It was the only Series I gold lunar coin with a mint mark.

Series I : Reverse Coin photo Courtesy of the Coin Page

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Series II : Obverse

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The centerpiece of the obverse side on all Australian bullion coins is the profile of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley.

Inscriptions:

• ELIZABETH II
• AUSTRALIA
• 1/2OZ 9999 GOLD
• Year of Issue
• 50 DOLLARS
• IRB - initials of the effigy's designer, under Queen's neck

Series II - Obverse side photo provided courtesy of Walmart

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Series II : Reverse

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The reverse side of each Series II Australian Lunar Gold bullion coin features an image of the Lunar Animal for its Chinese Lunar year, with the 2010 coin depicting the Face of a Tiger.

Inscriptions:

• 虎 - Chinese symbol for Tiger 
  
• P - mint mark for the Perth Mint
• Year of the Tiger
• IJ - initials for the designer of the reverse side (Ing Ing Jong)

The Edge on the gold bullion coin is reeded.

Series II - Reverse side photo provided courtesy of Walmart

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Series III : Obverse

A subtle difference occurs on British Commonwealth coins when a monarch passes away. The new monarch's profile changes direction from that of the previous leader of the kingdom.

On the Australian Lunar coins issued in 2024 and previous years, the late Queen Elizabeth II is depicted facing right. In contrast, the current coin features the new King of England, Charles III, facing left.

Switching the direction a monarch faces on British Commonwealth coinage is a tradition that dates back to the 17th century for the British Royal Family.

Note: Inscribed at the top of the 2024's Australian Lunar bullion coin's obverse side shows the the dates 1952-2022, which represents the duration of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.  The 2024 coin features the final design of Queen Elizabeth II used on Australian coins, created by Jody Clark.

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The effigy of His Majesty King Charles III is the centerpiece of the obverse side of all Australian bullion coins, designed by David Thorne.

Inscriptions:

• • CHARLES III
• AUSTRALIA  •
• 1/2oz 9999 Au
• 50 DOLLARS
• DT - initials of designer David Thorne found under King's shoulder. 

The Edge on the silver bullion coin is reeded.

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

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Series III : Reverse

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Each year, the Perth Mint updates the Australian Lunar gold bullion coins with a new design featuring the Lunar Animal that symbolizes the corresponding year on the coin. 

Inscriptions:

• 馬 - Chinese Symbol for Horse
• HORSE
• Year of Issue
• P - the mint mark of the Perth Mint
• IJ - initials for the designer of the reverse side (Ing Ing Jong)

The Edge of the gold bullion coin is reeded.

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

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1/2 oz. Australian Lunar Gold
 Bullion Coin Information
Series I, II, & III

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

Series II:..................2008 - 2019

Series III:.................2020 - Present

IRA Approved:...........Yes

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

Face Value:...............$50 AUD

Gold Content:............1/2 troy oz.

Total Weight:............15.554 grams

Purity:.......................99.99% / 999.9  (per mille)

Karat:........................24 karat

Diameter:..................25.10 mm (Series I)

Diameter:..................30.60 mm (Series II)

Diameter:..................25.60 mm (Series III)

Thickness:.................2.00 mm (Series I)

Thickness:.................2.20 mm (Series II)

Thickness:.................2.19 mm (Series III)

Mint Mark..................Series I - No

Mint Mark..................Series II - Yes

Mint Mark..................Series III - Yes

Obverse Designer:.....Ian Rank-Broadley (Series I & II) (1999-2018) 

Obverse Designer:.....Jody Clark (Series III) (2019-2023) 

Obverse Designer:.....Dan Thorne (Series III) (2024 - Present)   

Reverse Designer:.....Changes Yearly

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

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1/2 oz. Australian Lunar Gold Coin 
Bullion Series I, II, & III
Mintage Figures

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Series I

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

2004....4,228......40,000...........Monkey

2005....4,506......40,000...........Rooster

2006....5,767......40,000...........Dog

2007....7,694......40,000...........Pig

Series II

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

2008....3,474......unlimited.........Mouse

2009....5,054......unlimited.........Ox

2010....9,781......unlimited.........Tiger

2011....8,885......unlimited.........Rabbit

2012....19,370....unlimited.........Dragon

2013....14,681....unlimited.........Snake

2014....17,839....unlimited.........Horse

2015....11,961....unlimited.........Goat

2016....11,947....unlimited..........Monkey

2017....12,283....unlimited..........Rooster

2018....12,405....unlimited..........Dog

2019....12,008....unlimited..........Pig

Series III

2020.......10,059.....unlimited..........Mouse

2021.......13,122.....unlimited..........Ox

2022.......17,919.....unlimited..........Tiger

2023.......14,407.....unlimited..........Rabbit

2024.......TBA.....unlimited..........Dragon

2025.......TBA.....unlimited..........Snake

2026.......TBA.....unlimited..........Horse

TBA - to be announced

Mintage figures were last updated on 08/12/2026

We are waiting on the Perth Mint to updated their mintage figures.

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