Year of the Rabbit - First Silver Perth Mint Lunar Series
By CAA | Wednesday, 4 June 2025
The Perth Mint produced coins for their Lunar Series since 1999. These coins are mainly struck for Chinese coin collectors and bullion buyers. Each lunar series coin features an animal from the Chinese Zodiac.
The Lunar coins are generally available in a range of gold and silver designs and finishes.
The Year of the Rabbit was the first issue for the Silver Pert Mint Series. The first legal tender (under the Australian Currency Act) Lunar coins were issued in 1 kilo, 10oz, 2oz, 1oz and 1/2oz sizes in denominations of $30, $10, $2, $1 and 50c respectively. The design also features the P100 mintmark to celebrate the Mint's centenary, and the Chinese character to signify the sign's place in the Chinese Lunar calendar.
| Size | Kilo | 10oz | 2oz | 1oz | 1/2oz | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Content | Troy oz | 32.151 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1/2 |
| Denomination | A$ | 30 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0.50 |
| Fineness | % purity | 99.9 | 99.9 | 99.9 | 99.9 | 99.9 |
| Standard Weight | g | 1002.502 | 312.347 | 62.77 | 31.635 | 16.886 |
| Remedy Allowance | g | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Maximum Diameter | mm | 101 | 75.5 | 50.3 | 40.6 | 32.1 |
| Maximum Thickness | mm | 14.6 | 8.7 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 2.8 |
| Milled Edge Serrations | Interrupted | Interrupted | Interrupted | Interrupted | Interrupted | |
The Year of the Rabbit design features a young rabbit sitting up in the grass sniffing the air, ears pricked and eyes alert. The coins were issued 250 1 kilo, 1,000 2oz, 2,500 1oz and 5,000 1/2oz coins available individually. 500 complete collections containing one each of the kilo, 10oz, 2oz, 1oz and 1/2oz, coins were released.
Each set and individual coin will be presented in a red velveteen case with a serial numbered certificate of authenticity.
The Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, dates back to before 2600 BC and is the longest chronological record in history. It is based on a 12 year cycle with each year being named after an animal. According to one legend, the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals of the earth to come to him before he departed to his next life.
Only twelve arrived to bid him farewell, and they were rewarded with a year named after them in the order they arrived. Over time the calendar has evolved and become identified with the Chinese Zodiac system, with each Zodiac sign representing different personality traits.
| Animal | Birth Years | Personality |
|---|---|---|
| Rat | 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032 | Ambitious, charming, talkative, resourceful, private, frugal, critical |
| Ox | 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033 | Diligent, gentle, hardworking, reliable, patient, materialistic, stubborn |
| Tiger | 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2034 | Confident, brave, magnetic, idealistic, thrill-seeking, arrogant, selfish |
| Rabbit | 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035 | Kind, sensitive, artistic, romantic, judgmental, timid, refined |
| Dragon | 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036 | Outspoken, energetic, generous, intelligent, perfectionistic, egocentric, impatient |
| Snake | 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037 | Clever, curious, alluring, wise, anxious, calculating, jealous |
| Horse | 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038 | Amusing, enthusiastic, independent, persuasive, irresponsible, moody, opportunistic |
| Goat/Sheep | 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039 | Easygoing, empathetic, creative, cheerful, disorganized, impulsive lazy |
| Monkey | 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040 | Entertaining, intelligent, optimistic, sociable, fickle, secretive, unpredictable |
| Rooster | 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041 | Adventurous, charitable, funny, loyal, argumentative, boastful, self-involved |
| Dog | 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042 | Helpful, honest, trustworthy, unselfish, pessimistic, anxious, timid |
| Pig | 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043 | Caring, generous, smart, outgoing, fearful, impatient, materialistic |
