Lunar Series Coins

Luncar Coins Category HeaderLuncar Coins Category Header

One of the biggest trends in the world of numismatics in recent years is the increasing popularity of lunar year coins. These series are based on the cyclical twelve-year Chinese calendar, or Chinese zodiac. Each year in the cycle is associated with a different animal, providing an array of subjects. Each animal or year has certain defining characteristics that are associated with them. Many collectors appreciate not just the variety of designs in individual series, but also the fact that it’s possible to collect a complete set of zodiac coins over a little more than a decade. This provides a balance of excitement over new issues with long-term discipline on the part of the collector. As the popularity of these lunar series grows, the question increasingly becomes not which countries and mints are offering lunar series, but rather which ones are not. 2024 will mark the Year of the Dragon, which will be celebrated by mints around the world with spectacular bullion and collector releases. 

So keep reading below to learn more about the many exciting lunar themed coin releases from mints all around the world including the Royal Canadian Mint, the Perth Mint, and the China Mint, to name a few.

Chinese Lunar Year of the Tiger CoinChinese Lunar Year of the Tiger Coin
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What Are Australian Lunar Series Coins?

The gold version of the Lunar Series III Year of the Tiger coins from Perth MintThe gold version of the Lunar Series III Year of the Tiger coins from Perth Mint
The silver version of the Lunar Series III Year of the Tiger coins from Perth Mint.The silver version of the Lunar Series III Year of the Tiger coins from Perth Mint.

With both lunar series I and lunar series II coins, Australia’s Perth Mint has established itself as a leader in terms of Chinese zodiac coins. The Mint is currently issuing Series III, which began in 2020 with the Year of the Rat. Every year, the mint strikes Australian lunar coins in gold and silver. It produces both proofs and business strikes in multiple sizes. The designs and production quality both meet the exceptionally high standards of this world-renowned mint and provide collectors with stunning Chinese new year coins that stand out in any collection.

What Are Chinese Zodiac Coins?

Coins and coin display of the Central Mint of China’s own zodiac coins.Coins and coin display of the Central Mint of China’s own zodiac coins.

Not surprisingly, the granddaddy of the lunar series coins comes from the Central Mint of China. Many Chinese men and women continue to pay heed to the Chinese zodiac. The country’s mint has been striking  Chinese New Year coins to commemorate the lunar calendar since 1981. Their annual offerings include both gold lunar year proofs and silver lunar year proofs. Particularly noteworthy are their fan shaped lunar coins, which pay homage to a symbol of social status in Chinese culture. They also produce colorful artistic coins that are perfect for collectors looking for some variety.

What Are Canadian Lunar Series Coins?

The Year of the Rooster Lunar series from the Royal Canadian Mint.The Year of the Rooster Lunar series from the Royal Canadian Mint.

Canada is another country that offers a wide array of lunar issues every year. Offerings from the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) include lotus-shaped silver coins, hologram gold coins, and proofs struck with hand polished dies. They also offer a variety in terms of artistic styles. Some of their lunar coins aim for accurate depictions of their subjects, while others take considerable license. Other mints typically offer one or the other, but in the case of the RCM, collectors can get both from the same source.

Additional Lunar Coin Options

More countries are offering lunar coins every year. Some of the other countries and territories offering Chinese zodiac coins as of the time of writing include Great Britain, Niue, Palau, the Solomon Islands, and Tokelau. Some private mints, such as PAMP and Sunshine Minting, also offer their own lunar series rounds and bars.

Lunar Series 2 Coins vs. Lunar Series 3 Coins

Each Lunar Series of the Chinese Zodiac from Australia’s Perth Mint was established in 1996 with Lunar Series I. Due to its success, we are now in the third series. Made from fine gold, silver, and platinum, combined with intricate craftsmanship, these Australian lunar collector coins explore the ancient and mythical tradition and folklore of these great animals of China and their symbolism.


Series II ran from 2008-2019, before  Series III took off in 2020.. Following much of the same sizing, the only major update from one series to the next has been the design of the bullion coins. The Lunar Series III began in 2020 and will finish in 2031 with the Year of the Pig.

The 2010 Series II Year of the Tiger Coin from the Perth Mint.The 2010 Series II Year of the Tiger Coin from the Perth Mint.
Perth Mint Lunar Series II Year of the Tiger Design
The 2022 Series III Year of the Tiger Coin from the Perth Mint.The 2022 Series III Year of the Tiger Coin from the Perth Mint.
Perth Mint Lunar Series III Year of the Tiger Design

Year of the Dragon Coins (2024)

2024 Solomon Islands Silver Lunar Year of the Dragon Mother of Pearl Proof2024 Solomon Islands Silver Lunar Year of the Dragon Mother of Pearl Proof
2024 Vanuatu 20 Vatu 1-oz Silver Year of the Dragon w/Freshwater Pearl Proof2024 Vanuatu 20 Vatu 1-oz Silver Year of the Dragon w/Freshwater Pearl Proof

According to the Chinese zodiac, people born in the lunar year of the dragon possess characteristics such as innate courage, tenacity, and intelligence, making them enthusiastic and confident individuals. “Dragons” are considered ambitious, energetic, and exhibit superb leadership skills, though they can also be perfectionists and inflexible due to their aggressive and determined nature.

As with previous years of the lunar cycle, mints worldwide will issue a variety of silver and gold coins, including both bullion and collectible issues, to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, which begins on February 10, 2024. 

What Is the “Year of the Dragon”?

The Year of the Dragon is the fifth year in the twelve-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. The dragon is notably the only imaginary animal that is included in the zodiac. Those born in the Year of the Dragon are known as courageous, ambitious, and influential individuals.

Year of the Rabbit Coins (2023)

Perth Mint 2023 Australia $1 1-oz Silver Lunar Year of the Rabbit ProofPerth Mint 2023 Australia $1 1-oz Silver Lunar Year of the Rabbit Proof
Royal Australian Mint 2023 $5 1-oz Silver Lunar Year of the Rabbit Domed ProofRoyal Australian Mint 2023 $5 1-oz Silver Lunar Year of the Rabbit Domed Proof

Those born in the year of the rabbit are known to be polite, calm, sociable and creative. Behind their notoriously timid and cautious approach lies great strength and poise and an uncanny ability to make the right decision for any situation.

Available in both gold and silver versions, the 2023 Year of the Rabbit coins are minted from a variety of mints to include the Perth Mint, the Royal Canadian Mint, and The Royal Mint. For those born in the Year of the Rabbit and Lunar Coin collectors alike, versions of these coins can be an excellent gift to give.

What Is the “Year of the Rabbit”?

The year of the rabbit in Chinese culture is considered a lucky year. The rabbit is also the most popular Chinese zodiac animal and it is associated with wealth and prosperity.

Year of the Tiger Coins (2022)

The gold version of the Lunar Series III Year of the Tiger coins from Perth Mint.The gold version of the Lunar Series III Year of the Tiger coins from Perth Mint.
The silver version of the Lunar Series III Year of the Tiger coins from Perth Mint.The silver version of the Lunar Series III Year of the Tiger coins from Perth Mint.

According to Chinese legend of the river, the Tiger was a proud creature, confident that no other could compete with its speed and vigor as the Tiger was thought to be the greatest of all other animals on the zodiac. However, when the Tiger climbed out of the river which held it bound, to the beast's disappointment, it was not first but third after the cunning Rat and diligent Ox. 

The Gold and Silver bullion coins of the Year of the Tiger commemorate the honorable traits of the Tiger, and is amongst one of the most popular coins within each mint that produces such a coin, including Australia’s Perth Mint and the Royal Mint within the United Kingdom.

What Is the “Year of the Tiger”?

Ranking third in the Chinese Zodiac, the Tiger is seen as the king of all beasts as a symbol of strength, bravery, and with the ability to exercise evil. Those born during the Year of the Tiger are said to be natural leaders who have been blessed with courage, charm and confidence. Although they are charming and generally well-liked by others, those with the Tiger personality are also likely to be impetuous, irritable, and overindulgent.

Year of The Ox Coins (2021)

Perth Mint Year of the Ox Silver CoinPerth Mint Year of the Ox Silver Coin
Silver bullion Year of the Ox coin from the British Royal MintSilver bullion Year of the Ox coin from the British Royal Mint

The Ox embodies persistence, stubbornness, honesty, and quick-tempered qualities. Throughout the centuries, the Ox has been viewed as a domesticated animal, known for its toils within the fields. The Ox represents the ability to endure anything as they seldom fear hardship or difficulty. As a symbol of spring and fertility, the ox is revered among the animals within China’s lunar calendar.

The Canadian Royal Mint and Perth Mint are amongst the various mints that have proudly minted Year of the Ox coins in honor of this cherished animal within the Chinese Zodiac and have been minted for numerous precious metals to include Gold and Silver bullion versions.

What Is the “Year of the Ox”?

The zodiac sign of the Ox occupies the second position within the Chinese Zodiac. It is the strongest animal of the 12 represented and is known as "the good helper". Symbolizing diligence, strength, honesty, down-to-earth persistence, and wealth, those born in the Year of the Ox are said to have an honest, dependable nature, reflecting strong conservative characteristics.

Year of the Rat Coins (2020)

 Perth Mint’s Year of the Rat coin in silver Perth Mint’s Year of the Rat coin in silver
Silver Year of the Rat coin from the Paris MintSilver Year of the Rat coin from the Paris Mint

To the surprise of many, a lot of civilizations are rather fond of rats. For example, the Chinese view it as a symbol of both intelligence and fertility. It is said that people fortunate enough to have been born in the year of the rat possess qualities of creativity, honesty, generosity, and ambition. Additionally, rats are admired in China for their perceived link between the worlds of nature and spirit that has given them the uncanny ability to predict unforeseen events such as natural disasters, making this creature an epic addition to the Chinese Zodiac’s 12-year lunar calendar.

Mints such as the Perth Mint in Australia, Royal Mint, and even the US Mint have all commemorated coins to honor this key animal within the Chinese Zodiac. In beautiful renditions of both Gold and Silver bullion coins, these exciting coins are fantastic additions to collectors across the globe.

What Is the “Year of the Rat”?

The rat is the first sign in the Chinese Zodiac and is an animal symbolical to fertility, reproduction, and wealth. A person born in the year of the Rat might be disciplined, systematic, meticulous, charismatic, hard-working, industrious, charming, eloquent, sociable, shrewd. They also are said to be manipulative, cruel, dictatorial, rigid, selfish, obstinate, critical, over-ambitious, ruthless, intolerant, scheming, and materially prosperous. If born in the Year of the Rat, such an issue could be a perfect coin to add to a collection.