First Silver Proof Issue from Series II

The immensely popular Chinese Lunar design theme is secure with the announcement of The Perth Mint’s Australian Lunar Silver Coin Series II.  These first Proof Issue coins celebrate the Chinese Lunar Year of the Mouse.

Proof Quality 99.9% Pure Silver

The 2008-dated coins are struck from 1 kilo, 2oz, 1oz and 1/2oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality. (1oz denomination used in obverse illustration.)

Year of the Mouse Design

The reverse of each coin depicts two mice on a bed of straw with pumpkins in the background.  As well as the inscription ‘Year of the Mouse’ and the Chinese character for ‘mouse’, the design also incorporates The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.

Larger Coin Diameters

A prestigious new feature is the larger diameter of each coin (except the 1 kilo), which provides extra space for the enchanting artistry of Series II.

Australian Legal Tender

Issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, each coin features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on its obverse.

Limited Mintage

The Perth Mint will release no more than:

• 500 1 kilo coins
• 5,000 individual 1oz coins
• 1,000 Three-Coin Sets (2oz, 1oz, 1/2oz)

Numbered Certificate of Authenticity

A numbered Certificate of Authenticity accompanies individual 1oz coins and the Three-Coin Set.

Contemporary Presentation

Silver Proof Lunar Series II coins are housed in contemporary red and black display cases.  Each case comes in an illustrated coloured shipper depicting two mice.

Great Gift Idea

As well as appealing to proof quality silver coin collectors, these outstanding releases also make great gifts for people born in any year ‘ruled’ by the Chinese Lunar mouse – including 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 and 2008.

Find out more about the Chinese Lunar Calender and the Year of the Mouse here.