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

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

1999 - Present

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

The proof-like surfaces on the bullion coins can cause some bullion investors to mistake the coins for collectors proof coins.

Since the gold and silver lunar bullion coins were released, they have become one of the most popular, modern bullion coins.

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Design & Photos - Series I 1 oz. Silver Lunar (1999 - 2010)

Design & Photos - Series II 1 oz. Silver Lunar (2008 - 2019)

Design & Photos - Series III 1 oz. Silver Lunar (2020 - Present)

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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 oz. Australian Lunar Silver
Series I, II, & III - Bullion Coin

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Series I : Obverse

The obverse of the silver bullion coin displays the profile of her Majesty, 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 "1 DOLLAR" are displayed inside the outer perimeter of the silver bullion coin.

The 1 oz. silver bullion coins are issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, this 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 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

Inscribed along the top of the silver bullion coin are "ELIZABETH II" and "AUSTRALIA."

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

The coin's 'Year of Issue,' and the face value of "1 DOLLAR" is also 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 II, Australian Lunar Silver bullion coin has a universal design for each different sized coin, for a specific year.

The reverse of the 2019's Australian Lunar Silver 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 bullion coin is the Chinese symbol that represents the calendar animal.

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.

Lastly, each year, the initials of the reverse side's designer can be found on the reverse side, the placement of the initials change from year to year. 

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 "1OZ" (troy) and purity "9999 Ag"

The coin's face value of "1 DOLLAR" 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 III - Obverse side photo provided courtesy of The Perth Mint

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Series III : Reverse

The 2023 Series III, Australian Lunar Silver bullion coin displays the fourth animal in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the Rabbit.

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 - "RABBIT 2023."

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

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Series I:...............,1999 - 2010

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

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

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

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

Face Value:............$1 AUD

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

Total Weight:.........31.135 grams

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

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

Diameter:..............40.60mm (Series I)

Diameter:..............45.60mm (Series II)

Diameter:..............40.60mm (Series III)

Thickness:.............4.00mm (Series I)

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

Thickness:.............3.21mm (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 oz. Australian Lunar Silver Coin
Bullion Series I, II, & III
Mintage Figures:

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Silver Lunar
Series I - 1999 to 2010

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Year              Sales                   Mintage                            Lunar Animal

1999.........63,644..................300,000...........................Rabbit

2000.........118,697.................300,000...........................Dragon

2001.........71,301..................300,000...........................Snake

2002.........99,632..................300,000...........................Horse

2003.........102,164..................300,000...........................Goat

2004.........105,680..................300,000...........................Monkey

2005.........92,691..................300,000...........................Rooster

2006.........98,825..................300,000...........................Dog

2007.........87,009..................300,000...........................Pig

2008.........59,623..................mint to order...................Mouse

2009.........52,267..................mint to order...................Ox

2010.........56,077..................mint to order...................Tiger

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Series I photos courtesy of

The Coin Page

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Silver Lunar
Series II - 2008 to 2019

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Year              Sales                   Mintage                            Lunar Animal

2008.........300,000..................300,000...........................Mouse

2009.........300,000..................300,000...........................Ox

2010.........300,000..................300,000...........................Tiger

2011.........300,000..................300,000...........................Rabbit

2012.........300,000..................300,000...........................Dragon

2013.........300,000..................300,000...........................Snake

2014.........300,000..................300,000...........................Horse

2015.........300,000..................300,000...........................Goat

2016.........300,000..................300,000...........................Monkey

2017.........300,000..................300,000...........................Rooster

2018.........300,000..................300,000...........................Dog

2019.........300,000..................300,000...........................Pig

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Silver Lunar
Series III - 2020 to Present

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Year              Sales                   Mintage                            Lunar Animal

2020...........300,000.................300,000.......................Mouse/Rat

2021.........300,000.................300,000.......................Ox

2022.........300,000.................300,000.......................Tiger

2023.........TBA.................300,000.......................Rabbit

TBA - to be announced

Mintage figures were last updated on 03/01/23

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