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

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

1999 - Present

In 1999, three years after the successful release of the Gold Lunar Bullion Coin, the Perth Mint introduced the Australian Lunar Silver Bullion Coin.

The Australian Lunar series of bullion coins often have higher premiums due to the coin's limited annual mintage and polished look.

Since the silver bullion coin's release, the Australian Lunar Silver and Gold bullion coins have become one of the most popular series of coins in the world.

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Design & Photos Series I 1/2 oz. Silver Lunar

Design & Photos Series II 1/2 oz. Silver Lunar

Design & Photos Series III 1/2 oz. Silver Lunar

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Where You Can Buy
Silver Lunar Bullion Coins

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Chinese Calendar

Coin Info

Mintage Figures

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Design of the
1/2 oz. Australian Lunar Silver
Series I, II, & III - Bullion Coin

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Series I : Obverse

The obverse displays the profile of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, his initial's "IRB" are inscribed directly below the Queen's neck.

The words "ELIZABETH II", "AUSTRALIA" and "50 CENTS" are displayed inside the outer perimeter of the silver bullion coin.

The Australian Lunar silver coins are issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 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 lunar silver bullion coin shows an image of the animal associated with each Chinese Lunar Calendar year.

Inside the design, on one side of the lunar animal is the 'Year of Issue' and on the other side is the Chinese Symbol that represents it.

This side also displays the weight "1/2 OZ" and purity of the coin "999 SILVER".

The Mint Mark of "P" representing The Perth Mint, is not inscribed on the Series I - Silver Lunar bullion coins, but it is inscribed on the Series II coins.

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Note: The Lunar Series I, Year of the Rabbit bullion coin, issued in 1999, displayed a special ‘P100’ mint mark. It represents The Perth Mint's "100th Anniversary." 1999 was the only year a Series I silver lunar coin had a Mint Mark.

Series I - Reverse Coin photo provided courtesy of The Coin page

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Series II : Obverse

As with all Australian bullion coins, the obverse side of the 1/2 oz. Lunar silver bullion coin features Queen Elizabeth the II, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley.

His initial's are inscribed directly below the Queen's neck.

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

Along the bottom of the silver bullion coin is the coin's weight of "1/2OZ" and the coin's silver purity of "9999 Ag."

The coin's Year of Issue and the face value of "50 CENTS" is displayed along the bottom half of the silver coin.

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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 reverse side of the series 2, Australian Lunar Silver bullion coin has a universal design for each different sized coin, for a specific year.

The reverse of each 2019 Australian Silver Lunar bullion coin displays a mother pig surrounded by her piglets, in the grass, with foliage above them.

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

Across the bottom of the 2019 lunar silver coin are the words "Year of the Pig"

The "P" on the reverse side, behind the big pig, is the Mint Mark for The Perth Mint.

The silver bullion coins has a Reeded Edge

Lastly, on the first leaf of the tree branch, above the pigs, are the initials of 'AH' for Aleysha Howarthon, the designer of the 2019 Silver bullion coin's reverse side.

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

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Series III : Obverse

The obverse side of every modern Australian coin has the profile of Queen Elizabeth the II.

In the design, the Queen is wearing the Royal Diadem crown, earrings, and the Victorian coronation necklace.

The design was created by Jody Clark, his initial's "JC" are inscribed on the Queen's shoulder.

The Queen's name "ELIZABETH II" and "AUSTRALIA" are inscribed along the top of the bullion coin.

Along the bottom of the silver coin is the coin's weight "1/2OZ" (troy) and purity "9999 Ag"

The coin's face value of "50 CENTS" is also displayed along the bottom of the silver bullion coin.

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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 III : Reverse

The 2021 Series III, Australian Lunar Silver bullion coin displays the second animal in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the Ox.

The Chinese Symbol inscribed the coin's field is the symbol that represents the lunar calendar animal.

In addition, inscribed under the Chinese Symbol is the name of the Lunar animal and the coin's Year of Issue - "OX 2020."

The "P' on the field of the silver bullion coin represents the 'Mint Mark' of the Perth Mint.

The Australian Silver Lunar bullion coins have Reeded Edges.

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

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The Chinese Calendar, a Brief History 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.

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Australian Lunar Silver - 1/2 oz.
Series I, II, & III
Coin Information:

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Series I:...............1999 - 2007

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

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

IRA Approved:.......Yes

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

Face Value:...........50¢ AUD

Silver Content:......1/2 troy oz. (ozt.)

Total Weight:........15.573 grams

Purity:..................99.90% / .999 (1999 - 2017)

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

Diameter:.............32.10mm (Series I)

Diameter:.............36.60mm (Series II)

Diameter:.............32.60mm (Series III)

Thickness:............3.10mm (Series I)

Thickness:............2.30mm (Series II)

Thickness:............2.60mm (Series III)

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

Mint Mark:............Series II - Yes ("P" = Perth Mint)

Designer:.............Ian Rank-Broadley (obverse - Series I & II)

Designer:.............Jody Clark (obverse - Series III)

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

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1/2 oz. Australian Lunar Silver Coin
Bullion Series I & II
Mintage Figures:

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Series I

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

1999....16,913.....500,000........Rabbit

2000....52,956.....500,000........Dragon

2001....30,904.....500,000........Snake

2002....42,824.....500,000........Horse

2003....51,776.....500,000........Goat

2004....52,792.....500,000........Monkey

2005....37,994.....500,000........Rooster

2006....39,361.....500,000........Dog

2007....32,495.....500,000........Pig

Series II

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

2008....17,114.....unlimited.......Mouse/Rat

2009....17,674.....unlimited.......Ox

2010....50,035.....unlimited.......Tiger

2011....124,488...unlimited.......Rabbit

2012....389,161...unlimited.......Dragon

2013....160,616...unlimited.......Snake

2014....249,155...unlimited.......Horse

2015....188,442...unlimited.......Goat

2016....233,615...unlimited.......Monkey

2017....177,793...unlimited.......Rooster

2018....116,289...unlimited.......Dog

2019....88,726...unlimited.......Pig

Series III

2020....87,922.....unlimited.......Mouse/Rat

2021.......70,027.....unlimited.......Ox

2022...........TBA.....unlimited.......Tiger

TBA - to be announced

Mintage figures were last updated on 04/12/21, by the Perth Mint

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