1/2 oz Lunar II Monkey | Gold | 2016

Lunar Monkey 1/2 oz Gold 2016

In 2016, the Australian Perth Mint is expanding its successful Lunar II gold coins series to include an additional release. The Lunar Monkey ½ oz Gold 2016 coin appeared in the late summer of 2015 and is available exclusively at StoneX Bullion.

Lunar Monkey 1/2 oz Gold 2016 at StoneX Bullion

If you would like to buy the current edition of the Lunar Monkey ½ oz Gold 2016, you can do so in our online shop in just a few simple steps. At StoneX Bullion, in addition to the current series of coins such as Lunar II, you can also find individual investment coins and older collectors coins as well as precious metal bars in different denominations and weight classes. Take your time and explore our large online range. And if you would like to sell coins or bars, we are the ideal point of contact for you. Simply contact us by phone or email to do so.

The Lunar II Series gold coins have been issued by the Australian Perth Mint since 2008. The beautifully crafted motifs are embossed onto coin blanks with a purity of 999.9/1000 fine gold and are being issued on a annual basis up until 2019 with changing motifs. In accordance with the Chinese moon calendar, the so-called lunar calendar, the motif side of the coin shows the current zodiac sign for the year of issue each year. The expected 19 editions are to be issued every year in eight different denominations from 1/20 oz up to 1 kg.

Lunar Monkey 1/2 oz Gold 2016 - Design and Motif

In the Chinese lunar calendar, the five natural elements of wood, metal, water, fire and earth together with the twelve zodiac signs form a 60-year cycle in total. Each year connects an animal and an element to form a complex character unit, which is supposed to steer and influence destinies for one year. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the year of the (fire) monkey begins in 2016 and and so it is this animal that is found on the motif side of the Lunar II 2016 coins.

The reverse side of the coin shows a single monkey in the middle of a circle of intersecting lines. The animal is sitting on the thick branch of a peach tree. The fruit to the right of the monkey seems to have attracted the monkey's undivided attention, as it is being guarded with an attentive gaze. With fine lines and detailed craftsmanship, the design by the artist Ing Ing Jong not only impresses animal lovers. As with every issue, the inscription in Chinese characters states the name of the animal, while the Latin "P" represents the Perth Mint where the coin was minted.

The design on the front is the same each year and shows the portrait of British Queen, Elizabeth II. As the official Head of the Commonwealth, the monarch is also depicted on Australian coins and confirms them as legal tender. The portrait was designed in 1998 by Ian Rank-Broadley and shows the profile of the monarch wearing a diamond tiara. An inscription in the upper area states the name of the Queen "ELIZABETH II" and the country of issue "AUSTRALIA". Below the portrait, the coin material "GOLD", the denomination of "1/2 oz", the fine content of "999.9", the year of issue "2016" and the nominal value of "50 dollars" are stated.

Lunar Monkey 1/2 oz Gold 2016 as an investment and collectors coin

The Lunar Monkey 1/2 oz Gold 2016 coin is released in unlimited numbers and is therefore ideally suited as an investment coin. Collectors can also improve their existing collections with the Lunar Monkey ½ oz Gold 2016 coin. At StoneX Bullion, you receive the Lunar Monkey 1/2 oz Gold 2016 as a single coin in a plastic capsule and up to 20 coins wrapped in plastic foil.