Buy Silver Dragon (Lunar) Coins Online
Our catalog of silver dragon coins brings together some of the most recognized dragon-themed bullion releases from three of the world's leading mints. You'll find Australian Lunar Series coins from the Perth Mint spanning three distinct series, spanning the years 2000, 2012, and 2024, available in weights ranging from 1/2 oz to an impressive 1 kilogram. Alongside those, we carry the Royal Canadian Mint's Lucky Dragon High Relief coins and the Royal Mint's 2017 Queen's Beasts Dragon in 2 oz silver, making this one of the more complete dragon-themed silver selections available from a single dealer.
Weight options across the catalog run from fractional half-ounce coins all the way up to 10 oz and 1 kilo formats, giving buyers flexibility whether they're focused on stackability, display appeal, or simply acquiring more silver per transaction. Purity levels are consistent with modern bullion standards, with most Perth Mint releases carrying 0.999 fine silver and the more recent 2024 issues, along with the Canadian and British offerings, striking at 0.9999 fine silver.
Bullion Standard's transparent pricing structure means you can compare premiums across years and series side by side, with real-time bid and ask pricing displayed on each product page so you understand both what you're paying and what your coins are worth in the current market.
What Are Silver Dragon (Lunar) Coins?
Silver dragon coins fall within a broader category of thematic bullion coins that combine government-backed legal tender status with designs rooted in cultural tradition. The lunar classification specifically refers to coins tied to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, where the dragon represents one of twelve zodiac animals. The dragon year recurs on a 12-year cycle, which is why you'll see dragon-specific Lunar coins minted in 2000, 2012, and 2024, each from a distinct production series at the Perth Mint.
What separates these from generic silver rounds is their legal tender status, government mint production, and the standardized specifications that make them widely recognized across the global bullion market. The Perth Mint's Lunar Series coins, for example, are struck under Australian law and carry a face value denominated in Australian dollars, even though their silver content is their primary market driver. The Royal Mint's Queen's Beasts Dragon and the Royal Canadian Mint's Lucky Dragon carry similar sovereign credentials from Great Britain and Canada respectively.
Buyers are drawn to these coins for several reasons. The dragon theme carries significant cultural resonance, particularly among buyers with ties to Chinese heritage and tradition, while the sovereign mint backing and standardized purity make them straightforward to buy, hold, and resell within the global bullion market.
History and Background
The Perth Mint's Australian Lunar Series is one of the longest-running thematic bullion programs in the modern market. Series I launched in 1996, with the 2000 Dragon coin marking the final year of that inaugural run. Each coin in the series featured a unique dragon design, and the limited annual production windows have made earlier issues like the 2000 releases relatively scarce compared to later series. Series II began in 2008 and ran through 2019, with the 2012 Dragon coins representing a redesigned interpretation of the animal that expanded across several weight options simultaneously. The current Series III, launched in 2020, carries forward the tradition with updated designs and tighter purity specifications, as reflected in the 2024 Dragon coins now striking at 0.9999 fineness.
The Royal Mint's Queen's Beasts program, which produced the 2017 Dragon coin included in our catalog, drew from a different tradition entirely. The series was inspired by the ten heraldic beasts that stood guard at Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. The dragon in that program represents the Red Dragon of Wales, one of the oldest heraldic symbols in British royal history. The series was well received by collectors and bullion buyers alike and helped establish the Royal Mint's 2 oz silver format as a recognizable denomination in the market.
The Royal Canadian Mint's Lucky Dragon High Relief coin, issued in 2019 as a dated release and also available in a random year format, reflects a more contemporary approach to dragon-themed bullion. The high relief striking technique requires multiple die strikes under greater pressure, producing a coin with exceptional depth and detail that standard bullion strikes cannot achieve.
Purity, Weight, and Specifications
The silver dragon coins in our catalog span two purity tiers. The 2000 and 2012 Perth Mint Lunar Dragon coins are struck in 0.999 fine silver, meeting the standard broadly used across the global bullion market for that era. The 2024 Perth Mint Lunar Dragon coins, the Royal Canadian Mint Lucky Dragon coins, and the Royal Mint Queen's Beasts Dragon are all struck in 0.9999 fine silver, the four-nines standard that has become increasingly common among sovereign mints producing modern bullion.
Weight options in the catalog include 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 10 oz, and 1 kilogram formats from the Perth Mint's Lunar series, measured in troy ounces with the kilogram coins representing approximately 32.15 troy oz of silver. The 1 oz format is the most liquid and widely traded across all three series, while the kilo coins are struck in limited quantities and tend to attract buyers seeking larger single-piece silver holdings. The Queen's Beasts Dragon and the Lucky Dragon are both 1 oz coins, with the Lucky Dragon formatted at a slightly smaller diameter to accommodate the high relief design.
Specifications vary meaningfully by series. The 2024 1 oz Lunar Dragon measures 40.9 mm in diameter at 3.5 mm thick, while the 2012 equivalent runs 45.6 mm across at just 2.6 mm. The 2017 Queen's Beasts Dragon in 2 oz silver comes in at 38.61 mm with a 6 mm thickness, reflecting the denser profile required by the higher silver content. These dimensional differences matter to buyers storing coins in capsules, tubes, or custom display cases.
Available Brands, Mints, and Product Variations
The Perth Mint in Western Australia is the primary source across our silver dragon catalog, with coins spanning three distinct Lunar Series and multiple weight options within each. Perth Mint coins carry the "P" mint mark and are produced under the authority of the Gold Corporation of Western Australia, a state government-owned entity. The mint's reputation for consistent quality, detailed designs, and low mintage programs is well established, and its Lunar series coins are recognized and traded in bullion markets worldwide.
The Royal Mint, based in Llantrisant, Wales, is represented through the 2017 Queen's Beasts Dragon in 2 oz silver. The Royal Mint is one of the oldest operating mints in the world and serves as the official coin producer for the United Kingdom. Its Queen's Beasts series maintained strong market presence throughout its run, and the Dragon issue in particular benefits from the broader collector recognition the program developed. Inner packs of 10 coins and outer cases of 200 make the Queen's Beasts Dragon accessible at various quantity levels.
The Royal Canadian Mint contributes two Lucky Dragon coins to the catalog, a dated 2019 release and a random year option. Both are struck in 0.9999 fine silver and share identical physical specifications, though the random year version is sourced across various production years and priced accordingly. The high relief format used on both coins is a production distinction worth noting: it results in sharper detail and a more sculptural appearance than standard bullion strikes, though it does not affect silver content or purity.
Pricing, Premiums, and Market Factors
Silver dragon coins trade at premiums above the spot price of silver, with the precise premium varying considerably based on factors like series, year, weight, and mint. The 2024 Perth Mint Lunar Dragon coins in 1 oz and 1 kilo formats carry premiums reflecting their current-year production status and updated 0.9999 purity specification, while the 2000 Series I coins command a different market dynamic due to their age and relatively limited surviving supply in uncirculated condition. Earlier series coins that remain in BU condition with original packaging tend to attract stronger premiums than more recently produced equivalents.
Weight also affects the premium structure. Fractional coins like the 1/2 oz issues typically carry higher premiums per troy ounce than 1 oz coins, while larger formats such as the 10 oz and 1 kilo coins may offer a lower cost per ounce in some market conditions due to the reduced per-unit handling and production costs. The Queen's Beasts Dragon in 2 oz format occupies a middle ground, with premiums shaped by both its weight and the collector familiarity the series developed during its production run.
At Bullion Standard, pricing reflects live market conditions and is updated continuously. Each product page displays the current bid and ask spread, giving you a complete view of both the purchase price and the current resale value before you transact. This structure reflects our commitment to pricing transparency rather than opaque retail margins.
Condition, Packaging, and What to Expect
All silver dragon coins in our catalog are designated BU, or Brilliant Uncirculated, meaning they have not entered general circulation and retain their original mint luster. Perth Mint Lunar coins are typically shipped in coin tubes or individual packaging depending on the weight and year, with 1 oz coins from the 2000 and 2024 series packaged in tubes of 20, the 2012 1 oz in tubes of 25, and the kilo coins in individual protective packaging. The 10 oz 2012 Lunar Dragon is a single-coin format with no tube configuration.
The Lucky Dragon coins from the Royal Canadian Mint come in tubes of 25, while the Queen's Beasts Dragon is packaged in inner trays of 10 with outer boxes of 200 coins. For buyers purchasing individual coins rather than full tubes, products are typically removed from sealed packaging, so minor handling marks or contact from other coins in the tube are within normal expectations for BU bullion. These do not affect silver content or technical grade designation.
The random year Lucky Dragon coins are sourced from available production years and cannot be selected for a specific date. If year-specific presentation matters for display or gifting purposes, the 2019 dated release is the appropriate choice. All products arrive verified for authenticity and silver content as part of Bullion Standard's standard fulfillment process.
Authenticity and Verification
Every silver dragon coin sold through Bullion Standard is sourced from established mint channels, authorized distributors, and vetted wholesale suppliers. Products are verified for authenticity, weight, and purity before reaching customers, and our sourcing practices are designed to eliminate the risk of counterfeit or improperly represented material entering our inventory.
The Perth Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, and Royal Mint all employ anti-counterfeiting measures in their modern production runs. The 2024 Perth Mint Lunar Dragon coins and recent Royal Canadian Mint issues incorporate sophisticated security features that are difficult to replicate with conventional counterfeiting methods. For older issues like the 2000 and 2012 Lunar Dragon coins, verification relies on physical specification matching, including diameter, thickness, weight, and surface characteristics consistent with genuine Perth Mint production.
Bullion Standard maintains memberships with the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association, and we are authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC. If you are purchasing a higher-value piece such as a kilo coin and want independent third-party certification of authenticity, graded and encapsulated options or post-purchase submission to a grading service are both options worth considering.
Liquidity and Resale Considerations
Silver dragon coins from major sovereign mints are among the more recognizable thematic bullion products in the global market. The Perth Mint's Lunar series in particular maintains broad recognition among dealers, collectors, and secondary market buyers across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. That recognition translates directly into resale accessibility, since products that are widely understood by potential buyers are easier to price and easier to sell.
The 1 oz format is the most liquid across all three series and all three mints represented in our catalog. Larger formats like the 10 oz and 1 kilo Lunar Dragon coins tend to have a narrower buyer pool, which means the bid/ask spread may be wider and secondary market demand less predictable. Fractional coins are liquid but typically attract a collector-oriented buyer more than a straightforward bullion buyer, which can affect timing and price outcomes when reselling.
Condition and packaging preservation matter more for these coins than for generic silver rounds, particularly for older series issues where the secondary market is more sensitive to presentation. A 2000 Series I Lunar Dragon coin in original packaging commands more market confidence than one that has been handled without capsule protection, even if the silver content is identical.
Storage and Security
Proper storage protects both the condition and resale value of your coins over time. For individual 1 oz and fractional coins, hard plastic capsules sized to the coin's specific diameter provide the most effective protection against contact marks and environmental exposure. The dimensional differences between series and weight options mean a capsule sized for a 2012 1 oz Lunar Dragon, which measures 45.6 mm, will not fit the 2024 1 oz version at 40.9 mm, so verifying size before purchasing capsules is worthwhile.
Tubed coins should be stored upright in a stable environment with controlled humidity. Silver is reactive to sulfur compounds in the air, which cause toning and surface darkening over time. Airtight storage solutions, anti-tarnish strips, and silica gel desiccants help manage this risk, particularly for coins stored long-term without individual capsule protection. The original mint tubes from Perth Mint and Royal Canadian Mint offer reasonable protection for bulk storage but are not fully airtight.
For kilogram coins or significant holdings across multiple sizes, a quality home safe with a fire and humidity rating or a third-party precious metals vault service provides meaningfully better security than standard household storage. Vault storage also simplifies insurance considerations, since dedicated precious metals vault facilities are typically integrated with insurance coverage designed for bullion holdings.
Selling and Buyback Options
When you're ready to sell, the condition, packaging, mint recognition, and format of your coins all influence the buyback price you'll receive. A 2024 Perth Mint 1 oz Lunar Dragon in its original tube, in BU condition, is a straightforward buyback item with strong market recognition. Older Series I coins from 2000, particularly in the kilo or 10 oz formats, may require additional market assessment given their lower production volumes and the time elapsed since issue.
Bullion Standard operates a two-way market structure, meaning we maintain an active purchasing program alongside our retail operation. Our buyback pricing reflects current wholesale market bid levels, and the bid price for each product is displayed on our product pages so you can evaluate the current spread before making a purchase decision. This transparency is central to how we believe the bullion market should operate, with liquidity visible upfront rather than discovered only at the point of sale.
To initiate a sale, customers contact our purchasing team, receive a current quote based on live market pricing, and complete the transaction through a verified and insured shipping process. Products are inspected upon receipt, and payment is processed promptly following verification. We encourage buyers to retain original packaging and tube seals wherever possible, as condition presentation does factor into the buyback assessment for thematic and series coins.
Why Buy Silver Dragon (Lunar) Coins?
The appeal of silver dragon coins sits at the intersection of bullion practicality and thematic collectibility. On the bullion side, they offer verified purity from sovereign mints, straightforward silver content across standardized weights, and broad secondary market recognition that makes them easier to trade than privately minted silver rounds. On the thematic side, the dragon motif carries deep cultural significance in Chinese tradition and carries a visual distinctiveness that generic bullion simply does not offer.
The 12-year lunar cycle also creates a natural scarcity dynamic within specific series. Dragon year coins are produced once per cycle, and the limited production windows for older series like the 2000 and 2012 Perth Mint releases mean they are no longer actively manufactured. Buyers who want dated dragon coins from earlier series must source them from secondary market supply, which tends to be finite and condition-dependent.
Silver also benefits from meaningful industrial demand across electronics manufacturing, photovoltaics, medical devices, and a range of other applications, which provides a demand foundation distinct from its monetary history. For buyers focused on physical silver content, the dragon coins in our catalog offer access to that market at multiple price points, from the approachable 1/2 oz fractional options up through the substantial 1 kilo format.
Why Buy from Bullion Standard?
Bullion Standard was founded in 2010 and has spent over a decade building a reputation as a transparent, customer-first precious metals marketplace. Our approach is fundamentally different from the high-pressure sales model that has historically characterized parts of this industry. We believe you should have access to objective pricing data, clear product specifications, and a straightforward buying experience rather than navigating opaque markups or unclear resale terms.
Every product in our catalog is sourced from reputable mints, authorized distributors, and established wholesalers. Before any coin reaches a customer, it is verified for authenticity, weight, and purity. We maintain an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, hold memberships with the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association, and are authorized dealers for PCGS and NGC. These credentials reflect consistent operational standards, not marketing language.
Our two-way market structure means you can buy and sell within the same platform without starting from scratch when it's time to liquidate. Payment options include major credit cards, PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, and cryptocurrency through BitPay, giving you flexibility in how you transact. Secure checkout, reliable fulfillment, and responsive customer service are not afterthoughts here; they are the foundation the business was built on.
Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro
Bullion Standard Pro is designed for buyers who want to transact closer to the wholesale market rather than standard retail pricing structures. Members gain access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across a broad range of products, including silver dragon and lunar coins. This is not indicative pricing; it reflects real-time supply and demand at the wholesale level, updated continuously as market conditions shift.
Unlike the conventional retail dealer model, Bullion Standard Pro does not layer additional dealer markups onto member pricing. Members transact at executable wholesale market prices, which means premiums and bid/ask spreads fluctuate based on actual market conditions rather than fixed retail margins. For buyers acquiring silver in meaningful quantities, or for those who plan to both buy and sell over time, the pricing efficiency available through Pro can make a measurable difference in the total cost of ownership.
Pro members also gain access to proprietary market intelligence tools, including historical premium analysis, spread tightness metrics, liquidity indicators, and portfolio valuation based on live wholesale bid pricing. For buyers who want to evaluate silver dragon coins using objective market data rather than marketing claims, these tools provide a meaningful advantage. The platform is built around the idea that better information produces better decisions, and Bullion Standard Pro is where that philosophy is most fully realized.
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