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About the 5 oz Perth Mint Lunar Silver Coin
The 5 oz Perth Lunar Silver Coin
The 5 oz Perth Lunar silver coin is the largest widely traded silver denomination in the Perth Mint's Lunar programme. At 155.517 grams of fine silver, it offers a substantial format for the series' annually changing zodiac designs, with a larger canvas that allows for more detailed rendering of each year's animal than the standard 1 oz or 2 oz versions.
The Lunar programme spans three complete 12-year cycles following the Chinese zodiac. Series I ran from 1996 to 2007, Series II from 2008 to 2019, and Series III is currently underway from 2020 to 2031. Each year features a new reverse design depicting that year's zodiac animal, while the obverse carries the reigning monarch's portrait. The 5 oz silver denomination has been available across all three series, though not every year has seen production at this weight.
Silver purity has evolved across the programme. Series I coins are 999 fine; Series II started at 999 but upgraded to 9999 from 2017; Series III has been 9999 throughout. The 5 oz format appeals to collectors seeking the most detailed expression of each year's design and to investors who want larger-format sovereign silver with controlled mintages. Dragon year coins (2000, 2012, 2024) are consistently the most sought-after, reflecting the dragon's status in Chinese culture as a symbol of power and good fortune.
The Perth Mint's Lunar programme was the first from a major western mint to celebrate the Chinese lunar calendar, launching in 1996. This pioneering position gives the series strong recognition across Asian-Pacific markets, particularly China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.
5 oz Perth Lunar Silver Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5 troy oz (155.517 g) |
| Purity | 999 (Series I); 999/9999 (Series II); 9999 (Series III) |
| Diameter | 60.3 mm |
| Face value | AUD $8 |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Issuer | Perth Mint (Australia) |
| Legal tender | Yes (Australian Currency Act 1965) |
Available Silver Denominations in the Lunar Programme
| Size | Face Value (AUD) | Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 oz | $0.50 | 32.1 mm |
| 1 oz | $1 | 40.6 mm |
| 2 oz | $2 | 50.3 mm |
| 5 oz | $8 | 60.3 mm |
| 10 oz | $10 | 75.5 mm |
| 1/2 kg | $15 | 101 mm |
| 1 kg | $30 | 101 mm |
Series III coins (2020-2031) feature micro-laser engraved security marks detectable only under magnification, along with a small "P" mintmark for Perth incorporated into the reverse design. These were the first dedicated anti-counterfeiting measures in the Lunar programme's history; Series I and II relied on weight, dimensions, and strike quality for authentication.
The obverse portrait has transitioned through multiple monarchs across the programme's three decades. Raphael Maklouf's Elizabeth II portrait appeared on Series I coins from 1996-1998, followed by Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait through most of Series I and II. Jody Clark's portrait was used from 2019 through 2022, and King Charles III appears from 2024 onwards. The 5 oz format provides a 60.3 mm canvas for each year's zodiac animal design, larger than the 1 oz (40.6 mm) and 2 oz (50.3 mm) versions but smaller than the 10 oz (75.5 mm). Silver coins at this weight are typically sold in individual capsules rather than tubes.
5 oz Perth Lunar Silver Tax Treatment
The 5 oz Perth Lunar is Australian legal tender under the Currency Act 1965 with a face value of AUD $8, though the silver content is worth many times this amount.
Australia
Investment-grade silver at 999+ purity is GST-free in Australia. The 5 oz Perth Lunar qualifies regardless of series. Capital gains tax applies on disposal, with a 50% CGT discount for individuals and trusts holding for 12 months or more. Unlike UK legal tender coins, Australian bullion has no blanket CGT exemption.
United Kingdom
Silver coins are subject to 20% VAT on purchase. The Perth Lunar is not CGT-exempt because it is not UK legal tender. Only coins with a sterling face value qualify for CGT exemption in the UK. Buyers seeking CGT-exempt 5 oz silver would need to look to the Tudor Beasts 10 oz or similar Royal Mint products, as the Royal Mint does not currently produce a standard 5 oz silver bullion coin.
United States
Perth Lunar silver coins meet IRS fineness requirements (silver 999+) for self-directed precious metals IRAs. Capital gains are taxed at the collectibles rate of up to 28% federal. Sales tax varies by state, with approximately 35 states exempting bullion. The 5 oz America the Beautiful was the domestic alternative but is now a completed series (2010-2021).
Canada
GST/HST exempt for qualifying bullion at 995+ purity. Capital gains at 50% inclusion rate. May be held in RRSPs through qualifying dealers.
Singapore and Hong Kong
Singapore exempts Investment Precious Metals at 999+ silver purity from GST. No capital gains tax in either jurisdiction. Hong Kong has no sales tax or import duty. Both markets show strong demand for Perth Mint products due to the Lunar series' cultural relevance in the region.
European Union
Silver coins attract VAT at local standard rates across EU member states. Germany offers margin scheme taxation on imported silver coins. Gold versions of the Perth Lunar appear on the EU's annual Gold Coins List for VAT exemption.
5 oz Perth Lunar vs America the Beautiful, Libertad, and Silver Bars
The 5 oz Perth Lunar competes in a relatively small field of sovereign 5 oz silver coins. Its closest competitor was the 5 oz America the Beautiful from the US Mint, but that programme ended in 2021, leaving the Perth Lunar as one of the few ongoing sovereign 5 oz silver coins.
The ATB was a very different product: 56 unique designs depicting American national sites, each released once and never repeated. The Perth Lunar follows a repeating 12-year zodiac cycle, so the same animals return every twelve years with new artistic interpretations. The ATB's 76.2 mm diameter dwarfs the Perth Lunar's 60.3 mm, and the ATB carried a $0.25 face value (versus AUD $8). For collectors who value a finite, completed set, the ATB holds appeal as a closed series. For those who prefer an ongoing programme with cultural themes, the Perth Lunar continues to deliver new designs through 2031.
The Mexican Silver Libertad is available in 5 oz with notably low annual mintages. It uses a single recurring design rather than the Perth Lunar's annually changing zodiac artwork. The Libertad's scarcity drives collector premiums that can significantly exceed the Perth Lunar's. For pure collector appeal and potential appreciation above melt, the Libertad is a strong contender. For buyers who want the combination of large-format sovereign silver and a collectible annual design cycle, the Perth Lunar offers more variety.
Against 5 oz silver bars from private mints, the Perth Lunar carries higher premiums per ounce. The premium reflects its sovereign mint status, legal tender backing, annually changing designs, and controlled mintages. Bars are the more cost-efficient path to silver accumulation at this weight, but they lack the collector dimension and sovereign mint provenance that the Perth Lunar provides.
The current Series III coins benefit from 9999 purity and micro-laser security engraving, advantages that neither the ATB (999, no security features beyond edge inscription) nor most 5 oz bars can match. For buyers who want security features on their large-format silver, the Perth Lunar is the strongest option at this weight.
5 oz Perth Mint Lunar Silver Coin: frequently asked questions
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The cheapest 5 oz Perth Mint Lunar silver coin we track is A$534.81, with prices across dealers ranging from A$534.81 to A$577.55. The current premium over spot is around 14.2%, and Jaggards holds the lowest price. Prices update as dealers adjust their listings.
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The Perth Mint Lunar series follows the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle, releasing a new animal design each year. Three complete cycles have been produced: Series I (1996-2007), Series II (2008-2019), and Series III (2020-2031). Gold coins launched the program in 1996; silver coins were added from 1999. All coins are Australian legal tender. Series III silver carries 99.99% purity and includes micro-laser engraving as an anti-counterfeiting measure.
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The Lunar series rotates through all 12 Chinese zodiac animals over a 12-year cycle. In Series III, which runs from 2020 to 2031, the 2026 release features the Horse. Each year's reverse design is unique to that animal, while the obverse carries the reigning monarch's portrait. Collectors often target specific animals, with Dragon years historically generating the strongest demand.
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We track 4 dealers currently listing 4 versions of the 5 oz Perth Mint Lunar silver coin. Prices were last updated recently. With multiple dealers stocking this coin, comparing premiums before buying can save a meaningful amount on a 5 oz purchase.