Perth Mint Lunar series: specifications, value and where to buy

Australia's Lunar programme was the first precious metals coin series built around the Chinese zodiac, and The Perth Mint has run it since 1996. Its third twelve-animal cycle, Lunar Series III, began with the 2020 Year of the Mouse. This page explains what you get for your money in each size, what the gold is worth right now, and how each of our four countries taxes it.

What are the specifications of the Perth Mint Lunar gold coin?

All figures below come from The Perth Mint's own technical specifications for the 2027 Year of the Goat bullion programme. Every size is struck from 99.99% pure gold that The Perth Mint describes as Australian Origin Gold, and every coin is issued as legal tender under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Source: The Perth Mint 2027 Lunar Series III bullion programme. "Unlimited" means production closes at the end of 2027 and The Perth Mint then declares the official mintage. Not every size is on sale at launch. Fineness is 99.99% for every size, so the fine gold content equals the stated troy ounce weight.

Two details are worth knowing. First, the 1oz coin is the only gold size with a fixed cap (30,000 for 2027), which is one reason the 1oz Lunar tends to trade above a plain Kangaroo (see our Kangaroo guide, and our list of the best gold coins for beginners if you want the cheapest route into gold). Second, the face value is symbolic: A$100 is far below the value of the gold, so nobody spends these coins.

What is a Perth Mint Lunar coin worth today?

The melt value is simply the fine gold content multiplied by the live spot price (the wholesale price of one troy ounce of pure gold). The table updates automatically.

Spot-based melt values, not dealer prices. Last updated: Loading. Dealers sell above melt value and buy back below it. For other weights use our coin melt value calculator.

How much above spot do dealers charge for Lunar coins?

The difference between the price you pay and the melt value is the premium. We have not yet run an automated price check on Lunar coins, so we do not publish a premium figure for them on this page. Our premium tracker shows the coins we do check each month.

What we can say from how the series is sold: a current-year Lunar coin usually costs more than a standard bullion coin of the same weight, because each design is only struck for one year and the 1oz size is capped. Older years can trade at a further premium if the design is popular with collectors, or close to standard bullion if supply is plentiful. Small sizes cost more per ounce than large ones, because minting and handling costs are spread over less gold. Compare that cost against bars in our gold coins vs gold bars guide.

How are Perth Mint Lunar coins taxed?

For US readers, the Lunar coin's 99.99% purity also matters for retirement accounts. Section 408(m) of the US tax code treats coins as collectibles in an IRA unless they are specific US coins or bullion that meets the fineness required for futures delivery, which is 99.5% for gold, held by a trustee. Lunar Series III gold passes that purity test. Whether your custodian accepts it is a separate question, so check its approved list.

UK buyers often compare the Lunar with The Royal Mint's own zodiac coins, which are sterling legal tender and therefore free of CGT. See our Royal Mint Lunar guide.

Which years and designs are in the series?

Each Lunar series covers the full twelve-animal zodiac cycle with a new reverse design every year. Series III started with the 2020 Mouse, and the 2024 Dragon was described by The Perth Mint as the fifth release in the series, so the cycle should end with the Pig if the twelve-year pattern holds. Recent releases include:

The obverse changed from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III during Series III, so coins of the same series can carry either monarch. Both are equally valid legal tender. Perth also issues proof (collector) Lunar coins; those are a different product with much higher premiums and are not covered here.

How do you spot a fake Perth Mint Lunar coin?

• Weigh and measure it. A genuine 1oz coin weighs at least 31.107 g and is no wider than 32.60 mm or thicker than 2.95 mm. A fake made from tungsten or a gold-plated alloy usually fails on at least one of these at the same time.
• Check the security feature. The Perth Mint says specific coins in the programme carry a micro-laser engraved security feature. Compare yours with the mint's official images.
• Look at the capsule and the date. Bullion Lunars are sold in protective acrylic capsules. Make sure the year-date, animal and Chinese character match each other.
• Buy from a known source. The Perth Mint runs a scams and counterfeits page and a list of authorised distributors. Coins far below the going price are a warning sign.

Our guide to how to tell if gold is real covers magnet, ping and electronic tests in more detail.

Where can you buy Perth Mint Lunar gold coins?

In Australia you can buy direct from The Perth Mint, online or at its East Perth shop, or from bullion dealers that stock its coins. In the US, large online dealers list current and past Lunar years: we saw 2026 and 2027 Lunar gold listings at APMEX and SD Bullion when researching this page. In the UK, BullionByPost lists Lunar coins by zodiac year. Compare the single-coin price with the melt value above before you order.

Check Lunar coins at APMEX

Pros and cons of the Perth Mint Lunar coin

If you are still choosing between coin types, our all gold coin guides page lists every coin we cover.

Not financial advice. GoldVetted provides general information to help you compare options. It is not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Gold prices go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you pay. Check tax rules with the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.