World gold and silver · Storage guide
Best storage options for the Australian Lunar series
The Perth Mint's Lunar series follows the Chinese zodiac, with a new animal each year across gold and silver in several sizes. The one-ounce gold coin is around 32 mm and takes the H32 direct fit. One-ounce silver Lunars are 3.5 mm to 4 mm thick, too deep for any direct fit capsule, so Air-Tite recommend a black ring holder for them instead.
1 oz Gold Lunar (32 mm)
1/2 oz Gold Lunar, Series II (30.6 mm)
1/10 oz Gold Lunar (16 mm)
Australian Lunar series specifications, designs and mintages
Every figure links to its source. Primary sources are mint publications and Freedom of Information responses. Secondary sources are Wikipedia, catalogues and dealers, used only where no primary figure is published. Where sources disagree we show both.
Specifications and the capsule that fits
| Size | Years | Diameter | Thickness | Weight | Fineness | Capsule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½oz silver | Series III | 32.60 mm | 2.9 mm | 15.553 g | .9999 | H-32 direct fit | [1][2] Maximum dimensions published by the Perth Mint. |
| 1oz silver | Series III | 40.90 mm | 3.5 mm | 31.107 g | .9999 | Use the finder | [1][3][4] Up to 3.5mm thick, deeper than the 3.17mm of our direct fit capsules. Air-Tite list a black ring holder for 1oz silver Lunars. |
| 2oz silver | Series III | 50.80 mm | 4.8 mm | 62.213 g | .9999 | Use the finder | [1] |
| 5oz silver | Series III | 61.00 mm | 7.2 mm | 155.533 g | .9999 | Use the finder | [1] |
| 1kg silver | Series III | 100.90 mm | 14.5 mm | 1000.1 g | .9999 | Use the finder | [1] |
Designs
| Year | Design | Designer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every year | A new animal of the Chinese zodiac, in 12-year series | — | [2] |
Key facts and key dates
- The Perth Mint dates the Australian Lunar series to 1996, although one of its own product pages gives 1995. [2][5]
- Series III began in 2020; the 2025 Year of the Snake was its sixth animal. [3][1]
- In 2025 the 1oz silver bullion coin had an unlimited mintage, while the 10 kilo coin was limited to 100. [1]
Download this data as a spreadsheet: australian-lunar-series.csv
Sources
- The Perth Mint: Australian Lunar Series III 2025 bullion technical specifications Primary
- The Perth Mint: Australian Lunar Series III 2024 Year of the Dragon silver trio Primary
- Money Metals: 2021 Lunar Ox 1oz silver Secondary
- Air-Tite: official coin size guide (manufacturer fit chart) Primary
- The Perth Mint: Australian Lunar Series III 2021 Year of the Ox silver trio Primary
- The Perth Mint: declared mintages Primary
Frequently asked questions
What size capsule fits the Australian Lunar series?
The Australian Lunar series comes in these sizes and matching capsules: 1 oz Gold Lunar (32 mm); 1/2 oz Gold Lunar, Series II (30.6 mm); 1/10 oz Gold Lunar (16 mm). Match the capsule’s inside diameter to your coin.
What is the best way to store a Australian Lunar series?
Lunar coins are minted to limited mintages and the annually changing design makes complete sets desirable, so capsule storage that preserves each year's reverse is well worth it. Silver Lunar sizes and thicknesses vary by series, so measure before choosing a holder. A PVC-free acrylic capsule, either direct fit or black ring, protects the coin from handling, dust and air.
Still measuring up? Try the capsule finder to match your coin in a couple of clicks, browse the coin size guide by diameter, or filter the full capsule range by size and holder type. Buy 20 of any capsule and a matching storage tube is added free.
Browse more guides on the storage guides index.