2004 1 Oz Australia Gold Lunar Monkey (Series I) - BU

Buyback price:  $3,893.80
Bullion Standard Pro Buyback price:  $3,949.14

Product ID: BST-001663C90C

Specifications

Year 2004
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 1 oz
Thickness (mm) 2.8 mm
Diameter (mm) 32.1 mm
Inner Pack (Quantity) 20
Outer Pack (Quantity) 100
Grade BU

Product Details

Overview of the 2004 Australia Gold Lunar Monkey (Series I)

The 2004 Australia Gold Lunar Monkey is a one troy ounce gold coin struck in .9999 fine gold and issued by the Perth Mint as part of the original Lunar Series I collection. It carries legal tender status under the authority of Australia and is denominated at 100 Australian dollars, placing it within the category of government-issued sovereign bullion coins. The coin was produced to celebrate the Year of the Monkey in the traditional Chinese zodiac calendar, making it one of the more sought-after releases within the twelve-coin Lunar Series I lineup.

We carry this coin in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, reflecting the high standard of production associated with Perth Mint releases. The combination of one full troy ounce, four nines purity, and limited annual mintage gives this coin a distinct profile within the broader gold bullion market.

History and Background

The Perth Mint launched the Australian Lunar Series I in 1996, with each annual release commemorating a different animal from the Chinese zodiac. The series ran through 2007 and was produced under the auspices of the Gold Corporation, the statutory authority t

Overview of the 2004 Australia Gold Lunar Monkey (Series I)

The 2004 Australia Gold Lunar Monkey is a one troy ounce gold coin struck in .9999 fine gold and issued by the Perth Mint as part of the original Lunar Series I collection. It carries legal tender status under the authority of Australia and is denominated at 100 Australian dollars, placing it within the category of government-issued sovereign bullion coins. The coin was produced to celebrate the Year of the Monkey in the traditional Chinese zodiac calendar, making it one of the more sought-after releases within the twelve-coin Lunar Series I lineup.

We carry this coin in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, reflecting the high standard of production associated with Perth Mint releases. The combination of one full troy ounce, four nines purity, and limited annual mintage gives this coin a distinct profile within the broader gold bullion market.

History and Background

The Perth Mint launched the Australian Lunar Series I in 1996, with each annual release commemorating a different animal from the Chinese zodiac. The series ran through 2007 and was produced under the auspices of the Gold Corporation, the statutory authority that operates the Perth Mint on behalf of the Western Australian government. Designed to appeal to both bullion buyers and collectors, the series quickly gained international recognition for its artistic quality and strict minting standards.

The Monkey coin, released in 2004 for the Chinese New Year of the Monkey, sits in the middle of the Series I run and is widely considered one of the more collectible entries. Annual mintage figures for the one-ounce gold versions were capped, which has kept collector interest in the secondary market consistently active. The Perth Mint itself is one of the world's longest-operating mints, founded in 1899, and remains the primary refinery and minting facility for Australian gold coinage.

Design and Aesthetics

The reverse of the coin features a highly detailed depiction of a monkey, rendered with the naturalistic artistry that defines the Lunar Series I aesthetic. The composition captures the animal in a dynamic posture against a stylized background, with the year of issue, metal weight, and purity inscribed around the central image. The design reflects the cultural significance of the monkey in Chinese tradition, characterized by cleverness and energy.

The obverse carries the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, which was standard for Australian coinage during this period. Her portrait faces right and is surrounded by the inscriptions identifying the issuing authority and face value. The coin's Brilliant Uncirculated finish gives the surfaces a clean, struck appearance with sharp relief across both the primary design elements and the fine background details typical of Perth Mint production.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

Perth Mint gold coins are produced to exacting specifications, and the one-ounce Lunar Monkey is no exception. At .9999 fine gold, it meets or exceeds the purity standard required for inclusion in most gold-backed retirement accounts in the United States, a benchmark that reflects the mint's commitment to consistent metallurgical quality. Each coin is struck under controlled conditions using refined gold sourced through the mint's own refinery operations, which adds a layer of traceability rarely matched by private minting operations.

We are authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC, and every product that moves through our operation is verified for authenticity, weight, and purity. For collectors considering a graded version of this coin, our relationships with both third-party grading services allow us to support that process. Products sourced from the Perth Mint carry the institutional reputation of one of the world's most respected sovereign mints, and that provenance is an inherent part of the product's authenticity profile.

Condition and Packaging

Brilliant Uncirculated describes a coin that has never been placed into circulation and retains the full struck surface from the minting process. For Perth Mint Lunar Series I coins, BU condition typically means the piece was handled only under controlled production conditions and shows no wear. Surface contact marks are not expected in this grade, though minor handling marks from the original minting and packaging process can occasionally be present on secondary-market examples.

Individual coins ship in a protective plastic flip. A standard tube holds 10 coins, and a sealed box contains 100 coins across 10 tubes. If you are purchasing a single piece, it will arrive in a flip that protects the surfaces and keeps the coin secure during transit. Tube and box quantities ship in their respective sealed formats, consistent with Perth Mint packaging standards for this series.

Pricing and Market Factors

Pricing for this coin is tied directly to the spot price of gold, adjusted upward by a premium that reflects several compounding factors. As a government-issued sovereign coin from one of the world's premier mints, the base premium for Perth Mint Lunar coins is typically higher than generic bullion rounds or bars. The Monkey release carries an additional collector premium driven by the limited annual mintage and the completed nature of the Series I set, which creates incremental demand beyond standard bullion buyers.

Our pricing is structured to reflect real-time market conditions, and we display both buy and sell pricing on our product pages so you can evaluate the full cost of ownership before committing. Premiums on collector-grade sovereign coins like this one tend to be more stable across spot price cycles compared to generic products, though they are not immune to shifts in collector demand or broader market sentiment.

Selling and Liquidity

The one-ounce gold format, Perth Mint origin, and .9999 purity make this coin widely recognizable in resale environments globally. Dealers, auction platforms, and private buyers across Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia all maintain active familiarity with the Lunar Series I lineup. The completed nature of the twelve-coin series has historically supported secondary market demand, particularly for years perceived to carry stronger collector interest, and the Monkey is consistently among the more requested entries.

We operate as a two-way market, meaning customers can both purchase and sell precious metals within the same platform. We believe liquidity should be considered at the time of purchase rather than as an afterthought, and our competitive buyback pricing reflects that philosophy. Understanding the bid/ask spread for a coin like this one gives you a clearer picture of the true cost of ownership and the practical resale environment.

Why Buy the 2004 Australia Gold Lunar Monkey?

This coin occupies a specific niche that pure bullion products do not fill. The one-ounce weight and .9999 purity anchor it firmly in the bullion category, but the fixed mintage, completed series status, and recognized artistic quality give it characteristics that extend its appeal to collectors. For buyers who want gold with an additional layer of cultural significance and scarcity, the Lunar Monkey delivers that without requiring a move into the numismatic premium territory of certified rarities.

The Perth Mint's global reputation for quality reinforces the coin's credibility at every stage of ownership, whether you are purchasing, holding, or eventually selling. Unlike commemorative pieces with narrow collector bases, the Chinese Lunar calendar theme has sustained demand across multiple decades and geographic markets, giving this coin broader resale relevance than most regionally themed collectibles.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

We have built our reputation over more than a decade on a straightforward principle: transparent pricing, honest sourcing, and a buying experience that respects the customer's intelligence. Our A rating with the Better Business Bureau, membership in the American Numismatic Association, and membership in the National Coin and Bullion Association reflect a consistent commitment to industry standards and professional conduct. As authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC, we are equipped to support buyers who want certification options beyond standard bullion grade.

Our two-way market model means we are invested in both sides of your transaction. We display bid and ask pricing on every product page so you can evaluate not just what you are paying but what the resale environment looks like at the time of purchase. Every product is verified for authenticity, weight, and purity before it reaches you. Our customer service team is knowledgeable, accessible, and focused on long-term relationships rather than single transactions.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing on products like this one, including real-time portfolio valuation based on current wholesale bid prices rather than estimated retail figures. For a coin that carries both a bullion premium and a collector component, understanding how that premium has moved historically and how current market conditions compare to past cycles provides meaningful context for the purchase decision. Our proprietary market intelligence tools make that kind of analysis accessible rather than requiring you to piece it together from disconnected sources.

Pro members also benefit from product research tools that allow direct comparison across the broader catalog using metrics such as premium percentile rankings, bid/ask spread tightness, and liquidity indicators. For a completed series like Lunar Series I, where individual years can trade at different premiums depending on supply and collector demand, these tools help identify where the Monkey sits relative to other years and how its pricing efficiency compares across the market at any given moment.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We support a wide range of payment methods to make the purchasing process 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 processed through a secure transaction environment designed to protect your financial information at every step.

Whether you prefer a traditional credit card, a direct bank connection, or a digital asset payment, the process is designed to be efficient without compromising security. Payment flexibility is part of how we make the buying experience accessible, and our fulfillment process is structured to move reliably once payment is confirmed.

Reviews