The 1997 Australia Gold Lunar Ox is a quarter-ounce gold coin struck by The Perth Mint as part of its original Lunar Series I program. Composed of .9999 fine gold and weighing 0.25 troy ounces, it carries legal tender status under Australian law and features the iconic design structure that defined the first generation of Perth Mint lunar coinage. We carry this coin in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, representing one of the more collectible fractional gold formats to come out of the Series I lineup.
The Lunar Series I holds a well-established place in the gold coin market, and the Ox issue from 1997 stands out as one of the earlier releases in the series. Its combination of government backing, high purity, and a specific annual design tied to the Chinese zodiac cycle gives it a character that standard bullion coins do not share.
The Perth Mint launched its Gold Lunar Series I in 1996, beginning a twelve-year program tied to the Chinese zodiac calendar. Each year in the cycle featured a new animal design, giving collectors and buyers a reason to engage with the series beyond its metal content. The 1
…The 1997 Australia Gold Lunar Ox is a quarter-ounce gold coin struck by The Perth Mint as part of its original Lunar Series I program. Composed of .9999 fine gold and weighing 0.25 troy ounces, it carries legal tender status under Australian law and features the iconic design structure that defined the first generation of Perth Mint lunar coinage. We carry this coin in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, representing one of the more collectible fractional gold formats to come out of the Series I lineup.
The Lunar Series I holds a well-established place in the gold coin market, and the Ox issue from 1997 stands out as one of the earlier releases in the series. Its combination of government backing, high purity, and a specific annual design tied to the Chinese zodiac cycle gives it a character that standard bullion coins do not share.
The Perth Mint launched its Gold Lunar Series I in 1996, beginning a twelve-year program tied to the Chinese zodiac calendar. Each year in the cycle featured a new animal design, giving collectors and buyers a reason to engage with the series beyond its metal content. The 1997 issue celebrated the Year of the Ox, the second coin released in the series, and it helped establish the format and design philosophy that would carry through to the program's completion in 2007.
The Perth Mint itself has operated since 1899 and holds a strong global reputation for precision minting and high purity standards. Originally established as a branch of the British Royal Mint, it transitioned to state ownership in Western Australia and has since become one of the most respected sovereign minting facilities in the world. The mint's decision to launch the Lunar Series was directly tied to growing demand from collectors in Asia and among Chinese diaspora communities globally, and that demand has sustained premium interest in the series for decades.
Series I coins are now considered the original run of what became a long-standing franchise. Mintages on individual issues were limited compared to standard bullion coins, and the 1997 Ox in particular benefits from being one of the earlier dates, which adds to its appeal among collectors building complete sets.
The reverse of the 1997 Lunar Ox features a detailed depiction of an ox rendered in The Perth Mint's characteristic relief style, set against a background that reflects the animal's place in Chinese zodiac tradition. The design incorporates the year of issue and the coin's legal tender denomination, along with the "P" mint mark identifying Perth as the producing facility. The overall composition balances decorative artistry with the technical precision expected from a government mint.
The obverse carries the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, which was standard on Australian coinage during this period. Her portrait faces right with inscriptions noting her title and the coin's face value in Australian dollars. The combination of the regal obverse and the culturally specific reverse design became a defining feature of the Lunar Series I format.
Struck to Brilliant Uncirculated standards, the coin presents sharp relief, clean fields, and consistent surface detail across both sides. The .9999 fine gold composition gives the coin its distinctive warm luster, and the quality of strike typical from The Perth Mint results in well-defined edges and strong design fidelity throughout.
At a quarter ounce, this coin occupies a practical middle ground in the fractional gold market. It offers meaningful gold content without the full capital commitment of a one-ounce piece, making it a reasonable option for buyers who want exposure to a specific date or series without purchasing at the highest denomination available.
Fractional coins in the Lunar Series also tend to carry higher premiums relative to spot than their one-ounce counterparts, partly because of their collectible character and partly because fractional production runs are typically smaller. Buyers entering the quarter-ounce format for the first time should factor that premium structure into their overall evaluation of the coin's cost relative to its metal content.
As a coin struck directly by The Perth Mint, the 1997 Gold Lunar Ox carries the full authority of a sovereign minting institution operating under Australian government oversight. The mint's .9999 fine gold standard is among the highest purity levels produced at any major government facility, and the coin's specifications are verified through the mint's own quality control processes at the point of production.
Every coin we handle is verified for authenticity, weight, and purity before it reaches a customer. Our authorized dealer relationships with both PCGS and NGC reinforce our ability to support grading, authentication, and verification for customers who choose to pursue third-party certification. For a collectible coin like the 1997 Ox, professional grading can be a meaningful consideration, and we are positioned to assist with that process.
Brilliant Uncirculated denotes a coin that has never been placed into circulation and retains its original mint-struck finish. For the 1997 Gold Lunar Ox, BU condition means the design detail, surface luster, and edge definition should reflect the coin's original struck state, though coins in this grade may show minor contact marks or bag marks consistent with handling during the minting and packaging process. This is distinct from proof coinage and should not be confused with a fully mirrored or specially finished product.
Individual coins ship in a protective plastic flip. A standard tube of these quarter-ounce Lunar coins typically holds 20 pieces, and orders at that quantity ship accordingly. Larger sealed box quantities follow The Perth Mint's standard outer packaging format. If you are purchasing a single coin, it will arrive secured in a flip that protects the surfaces during transit without requiring you to handle the coin directly.
Pricing for the 1997 Gold Lunar Ox reflects both the current spot price of gold and the premium associated with its status as a collectible sovereign coin. The base cost moves in line with the gold market, but the premium layer accounts for factors specific to this product: the limited original mintage, the date's significance as an early Series I release, and the persistent collector demand for complete Lunar Series sets.
Quarter-ounce fractional coins generally carry wider premiums than one-ounce coins within the same series, and the added numismatic character of the 1997 Ox means its pricing reflects both the bullion and collectible markets simultaneously. Our pricing is structured around real-time market conditions and is displayed with transparency so buyers can evaluate the full cost of acquisition alongside our current buyback pricing before making a decision.
The 1997 Australia Gold Lunar Ox trades within a market that includes both bullion-focused buyers and series collectors. Its .9999 fine gold content and Perth Mint origin make it widely recognizable, while its specific date and zodiac design add a collectible dimension that can influence demand beyond the standard bullion resale market. Coins with this combination of government backing and series identity tend to attract interest from multiple buyer types when they become available.
We operate a two-way market that allows customers to both purchase and sell precious metals within the same platform. Liquidity is a factor worth considering before a purchase is made, and our buyback pricing on products like this one is available alongside the ask price so buyers can evaluate the complete picture at any point. The bid/ask spread on each product page reflects current wholesale market conditions rather than fixed retail margins.
This coin appeals to buyers who want something more specific than a generic gold bullion coin. The 1997 Ox is a government-issued, .9999 fine gold piece from one of the world's most respected minting facilities, and it belongs to a series that has developed a dedicated global collector base over the past three decades. The zodiac theme adds cultural significance that resonates particularly strongly with collectors of Chinese heritage and with buyers focused on completing the twelve-coin Series I set.
From a practical standpoint, the quarter-ounce format keeps the entry price lower than a full ounce while still offering meaningful gold content in a recognized, authenticated form. For buyers who prioritize both metal content and a coin with distinct identity, the 1997 Lunar Ox offers a more defined character than standard fractional gold bullion options at a similar weight.
We approach every transaction with the understanding that trust in this industry is earned once and maintained through consistency. Our pricing reflects real-time market conditions and is structured to be transparent from the moment you land on a product page. The bid and ask prices are displayed together so you can evaluate both sides of any transaction before committing, which is something we consider fundamental rather than optional.
We hold an A rating with the Better Business Bureau and maintain active memberships with the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association. As authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC, we are positioned to support grading and certification for coins like the 1997 Lunar Ox where that matters to a buyer. Every product is verified for authenticity, weight, and purity, and our two-way market structure means we are available to buy back what we sell at competitive prices when you are ready to sell.
Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across our full catalog, including coins like the 1997 Gold Lunar Ox where the premium structure reflects both bullion and collectible market dynamics. Rather than relying on static retail pricing, Pro members transact at wholesale market prices that fluctuate naturally based on real supply and demand conditions, without additional dealer markups applied on top. This creates meaningful pricing efficiency for buyers who are active in the market.
Pro members also benefit from real-time portfolio valuation using current wholesale bid pricing, which provides a more accurate view of liquidation value than standard retail estimates. For a coin with both bullion and collectible characteristics, understanding the spread between acquisition cost and current wholesale bid is particularly useful. Our proprietary research tools allow members to evaluate premiums, historical spread behavior, and liquidity metrics specific to individual products, giving a clearer picture of how coins like this one behave in the wholesale market over time.
We support a wide range of payment methods to make purchasing straightforward and secure. Accepted options include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, and cryptocurrency via BitPay. Each method is integrated into a secure transaction environment designed to protect your payment information at every step.
Whether you prefer the speed of a wire transfer, the flexibility of a credit card, or the privacy of cryptocurrency, we have structured our payment options to accommodate different buyer preferences without compromising on security or convenience. The goal is a checkout process that is as direct and friction-free as the rest of the experience we offer.
Product ID: BST-000636BE65
| Year | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Precious Metal Type | Gold |
| Bullion Coin Type | Lunar |
| Format | Coin |
| Country of Origin | Australia |
| Brand/Mint | Perth Mint |
| Mint Mark | P - Perth |
| Purity | 0.9999 |
| Weight | 0.25 oz |
| Thickness (mm) | 2 mm |
| Diameter (mm) | 20.1 mm |
| Inner Pack (Quantity) | 25 |
| Grade | BU |
The 1997 Australia Gold Lunar Ox is a quarter-ounce gold coin struck by The Perth Mint as part of its original Lunar Series I program. Composed of .9999 fine gold and weighing 0.25 troy ounces, it carries legal tender status under Australian law and features the iconic design structure that defined the first generation of Perth Mint lunar coinage. We carry this coin in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, representing one of the more collectible fractional gold formats to come out of the Series I lineup.
The Lunar Series I holds a well-established place in the gold coin market, and the Ox issue from 1997 stands out as one of the earlier releases in the series. Its combination of government backing, high purity, and a specific annual design tied to the Chinese zodiac cycle gives it a character that standard bullion coins do not share.
The Perth Mint launched its Gold Lunar Series I in 1996, beginning a twelve-year program tied to the Chinese zodiac calendar. Each year in the cycle featured a new animal design, giving collectors and buyers a reason to engage with the series beyond its metal content. The 1
…The 1997 Australia Gold Lunar Ox is a quarter-ounce gold coin struck by The Perth Mint as part of its original Lunar Series I program. Composed of .9999 fine gold and weighing 0.25 troy ounces, it carries legal tender status under Australian law and features the iconic design structure that defined the first generation of Perth Mint lunar coinage. We carry this coin in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, representing one of the more collectible fractional gold formats to come out of the Series I lineup.
The Lunar Series I holds a well-established place in the gold coin market, and the Ox issue from 1997 stands out as one of the earlier releases in the series. Its combination of government backing, high purity, and a specific annual design tied to the Chinese zodiac cycle gives it a character that standard bullion coins do not share.
The Perth Mint launched its Gold Lunar Series I in 1996, beginning a twelve-year program tied to the Chinese zodiac calendar. Each year in the cycle featured a new animal design, giving collectors and buyers a reason to engage with the series beyond its metal content. The 1997 issue celebrated the Year of the Ox, the second coin released in the series, and it helped establish the format and design philosophy that would carry through to the program's completion in 2007.
The Perth Mint itself has operated since 1899 and holds a strong global reputation for precision minting and high purity standards. Originally established as a branch of the British Royal Mint, it transitioned to state ownership in Western Australia and has since become one of the most respected sovereign minting facilities in the world. The mint's decision to launch the Lunar Series was directly tied to growing demand from collectors in Asia and among Chinese diaspora communities globally, and that demand has sustained premium interest in the series for decades.
Series I coins are now considered the original run of what became a long-standing franchise. Mintages on individual issues were limited compared to standard bullion coins, and the 1997 Ox in particular benefits from being one of the earlier dates, which adds to its appeal among collectors building complete sets.
The reverse of the 1997 Lunar Ox features a detailed depiction of an ox rendered in The Perth Mint's characteristic relief style, set against a background that reflects the animal's place in Chinese zodiac tradition. The design incorporates the year of issue and the coin's legal tender denomination, along with the "P" mint mark identifying Perth as the producing facility. The overall composition balances decorative artistry with the technical precision expected from a government mint.
The obverse carries the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, which was standard on Australian coinage during this period. Her portrait faces right with inscriptions noting her title and the coin's face value in Australian dollars. The combination of the regal obverse and the culturally specific reverse design became a defining feature of the Lunar Series I format.
Struck to Brilliant Uncirculated standards, the coin presents sharp relief, clean fields, and consistent surface detail across both sides. The .9999 fine gold composition gives the coin its distinctive warm luster, and the quality of strike typical from The Perth Mint results in well-defined edges and strong design fidelity throughout.
At a quarter ounce, this coin occupies a practical middle ground in the fractional gold market. It offers meaningful gold content without the full capital commitment of a one-ounce piece, making it a reasonable option for buyers who want exposure to a specific date or series without purchasing at the highest denomination available.
Fractional coins in the Lunar Series also tend to carry higher premiums relative to spot than their one-ounce counterparts, partly because of their collectible character and partly because fractional production runs are typically smaller. Buyers entering the quarter-ounce format for the first time should factor that premium structure into their overall evaluation of the coin's cost relative to its metal content.
As a coin struck directly by The Perth Mint, the 1997 Gold Lunar Ox carries the full authority of a sovereign minting institution operating under Australian government oversight. The mint's .9999 fine gold standard is among the highest purity levels produced at any major government facility, and the coin's specifications are verified through the mint's own quality control processes at the point of production.
Every coin we handle is verified for authenticity, weight, and purity before it reaches a customer. Our authorized dealer relationships with both PCGS and NGC reinforce our ability to support grading, authentication, and verification for customers who choose to pursue third-party certification. For a collectible coin like the 1997 Ox, professional grading can be a meaningful consideration, and we are positioned to assist with that process.
Brilliant Uncirculated denotes a coin that has never been placed into circulation and retains its original mint-struck finish. For the 1997 Gold Lunar Ox, BU condition means the design detail, surface luster, and edge definition should reflect the coin's original struck state, though coins in this grade may show minor contact marks or bag marks consistent with handling during the minting and packaging process. This is distinct from proof coinage and should not be confused with a fully mirrored or specially finished product.
Individual coins ship in a protective plastic flip. A standard tube of these quarter-ounce Lunar coins typically holds 20 pieces, and orders at that quantity ship accordingly. Larger sealed box quantities follow The Perth Mint's standard outer packaging format. If you are purchasing a single coin, it will arrive secured in a flip that protects the surfaces during transit without requiring you to handle the coin directly.
Pricing for the 1997 Gold Lunar Ox reflects both the current spot price of gold and the premium associated with its status as a collectible sovereign coin. The base cost moves in line with the gold market, but the premium layer accounts for factors specific to this product: the limited original mintage, the date's significance as an early Series I release, and the persistent collector demand for complete Lunar Series sets.
Quarter-ounce fractional coins generally carry wider premiums than one-ounce coins within the same series, and the added numismatic character of the 1997 Ox means its pricing reflects both the bullion and collectible markets simultaneously. Our pricing is structured around real-time market conditions and is displayed with transparency so buyers can evaluate the full cost of acquisition alongside our current buyback pricing before making a decision.
The 1997 Australia Gold Lunar Ox trades within a market that includes both bullion-focused buyers and series collectors. Its .9999 fine gold content and Perth Mint origin make it widely recognizable, while its specific date and zodiac design add a collectible dimension that can influence demand beyond the standard bullion resale market. Coins with this combination of government backing and series identity tend to attract interest from multiple buyer types when they become available.
We operate a two-way market that allows customers to both purchase and sell precious metals within the same platform. Liquidity is a factor worth considering before a purchase is made, and our buyback pricing on products like this one is available alongside the ask price so buyers can evaluate the complete picture at any point. The bid/ask spread on each product page reflects current wholesale market conditions rather than fixed retail margins.
This coin appeals to buyers who want something more specific than a generic gold bullion coin. The 1997 Ox is a government-issued, .9999 fine gold piece from one of the world's most respected minting facilities, and it belongs to a series that has developed a dedicated global collector base over the past three decades. The zodiac theme adds cultural significance that resonates particularly strongly with collectors of Chinese heritage and with buyers focused on completing the twelve-coin Series I set.
From a practical standpoint, the quarter-ounce format keeps the entry price lower than a full ounce while still offering meaningful gold content in a recognized, authenticated form. For buyers who prioritize both metal content and a coin with distinct identity, the 1997 Lunar Ox offers a more defined character than standard fractional gold bullion options at a similar weight.
We approach every transaction with the understanding that trust in this industry is earned once and maintained through consistency. Our pricing reflects real-time market conditions and is structured to be transparent from the moment you land on a product page. The bid and ask prices are displayed together so you can evaluate both sides of any transaction before committing, which is something we consider fundamental rather than optional.
We hold an A rating with the Better Business Bureau and maintain active memberships with the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association. As authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC, we are positioned to support grading and certification for coins like the 1997 Lunar Ox where that matters to a buyer. Every product is verified for authenticity, weight, and purity, and our two-way market structure means we are available to buy back what we sell at competitive prices when you are ready to sell.
Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across our full catalog, including coins like the 1997 Gold Lunar Ox where the premium structure reflects both bullion and collectible market dynamics. Rather than relying on static retail pricing, Pro members transact at wholesale market prices that fluctuate naturally based on real supply and demand conditions, without additional dealer markups applied on top. This creates meaningful pricing efficiency for buyers who are active in the market.
Pro members also benefit from real-time portfolio valuation using current wholesale bid pricing, which provides a more accurate view of liquidation value than standard retail estimates. For a coin with both bullion and collectible characteristics, understanding the spread between acquisition cost and current wholesale bid is particularly useful. Our proprietary research tools allow members to evaluate premiums, historical spread behavior, and liquidity metrics specific to individual products, giving a clearer picture of how coins like this one behave in the wholesale market over time.
We support a wide range of payment methods to make purchasing straightforward and secure. Accepted options include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, and cryptocurrency via BitPay. Each method is integrated into a secure transaction environment designed to protect your payment information at every step.
Whether you prefer the speed of a wire transfer, the flexibility of a credit card, or the privacy of cryptocurrency, we have structured our payment options to accommodate different buyer preferences without compromising on security or convenience. The goal is a checkout process that is as direct and friction-free as the rest of the experience we offer.