2016 1/4 Oz Australia Gold Lunar Monkey (Series II) - BU

Buyback price:  $993.95
Bullion Standard Pro Buyback price:  $1,008.07

Product ID: BST-0006573EC7

Specifications

Year 2016
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) 2.2 mm
Diameter (mm) 22.6 mm
Grade BU

Product Details

Overview of the 2016 Australia Gold Lunar Monkey (Series II)

The 2016 Australia Gold Lunar Monkey is a quarter-ounce gold coin struck by The Perth Mint in .9999 fine gold as part of the second Australian Lunar series. Issued under Australian legal tender status, it carries a face value and bears the "P" mintmark identifying its Perth origin. The coin is graded Brilliant Uncirculated, representing a standard of strike quality and surface preservation that makes it well-suited for both collectors and buyers focused on precious metals content.

We carry this coin as part of our broader selection of Perth Mint sovereign issues, a program consistently regarded as one of the most technically accomplished in the world. The quarter-ounce format offers a meaningful entry point into gold ownership without requiring the full capital outlay of a one-ounce piece.

History and Background

The Australian Lunar series was first introduced by The Perth Mint in 1996, with Series I running through 2007 and Series II launching in 2008 and continuing through 2019. Each coin in the series commemorates one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, cycling through the same animal pairings as its prede

Overview of the 2016 Australia Gold Lunar Monkey (Series II)

The 2016 Australia Gold Lunar Monkey is a quarter-ounce gold coin struck by The Perth Mint in .9999 fine gold as part of the second Australian Lunar series. Issued under Australian legal tender status, it carries a face value and bears the "P" mintmark identifying its Perth origin. The coin is graded Brilliant Uncirculated, representing a standard of strike quality and surface preservation that makes it well-suited for both collectors and buyers focused on precious metals content.

We carry this coin as part of our broader selection of Perth Mint sovereign issues, a program consistently regarded as one of the most technically accomplished in the world. The quarter-ounce format offers a meaningful entry point into gold ownership without requiring the full capital outlay of a one-ounce piece.

History and Background

The Australian Lunar series was first introduced by The Perth Mint in 1996, with Series I running through 2007 and Series II launching in 2008 and continuing through 2019. Each coin in the series commemorates one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, cycling through the same animal pairings as its predecessor but with entirely new designs. The Monkey year appears in both series, with the 2016 release representing the Series II interpretation of that zodiac sign.

The Perth Mint has been operating since 1899 and is owned by the Government of Western Australia. Its reputation for precision minting and consistent quality has made its coins broadly recognized across global bullion markets. The Lunar series in particular has developed a strong following among both collectors and buyers who appreciate limited annual production and design variety within a structured framework.

Design and Aesthetics

The reverse of the 2016 coin features an original design depicting one or more monkeys rendered with fine detail and artistic depth characteristic of the Lunar series. The composition reflects traditional themes associated with the Monkey in Chinese zodiac symbolism, including intelligence and agility. The design includes inscriptions noting the year of issue, metal weight, purity, and face value, all integrated cleanly into the overall composition.

The obverse carries the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, standard across Australian legal tender coins issued during this period. The portrait is accompanied by the monarch's name, face value, and country of issue. The coin's finish in Brilliant Uncirculated condition gives the fields a clean, reflective quality and the raised design elements a precise, well-struck appearance.

Fractional Size and Accessibility

At a quarter ounce of .9999 fine gold, this coin occupies a practical position in the market between the smallest fractional sizes and the full one-ounce standard. It allows buyers to acquire a meaningful amount of physical gold at a lower per-unit cost than a full ounce while maintaining the design quality and sovereign issuer status that characterize the full-size release. The smaller physical footprint also makes it easier to store and handle without requiring special infrastructure.

Fractional gold coins like this one are also commonly used to build positions incrementally or to distribute gold ownership across multiple pieces rather than concentrating it in fewer, heavier coins. The quarter-ounce format is widely recognized across dealer networks, which contributes to its practical usability within the broader gold market.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

Every coin in this series is struck by The Perth Mint to a declared purity of .9999 fine gold and a weight of 0.25 troy ounces. These specifications are embedded in the coin's inscriptions and are consistent across all production runs for this issue. The Perth Mint's position as a government-owned facility operating under rigorous international minting standards provides a strong baseline of confidence in the coin's stated metal content.

We verify authenticity, weight, and purity across our inventory before any product reaches a customer. As authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC, we operate within established industry frameworks for coin authentication and grading standards, which reinforces the integrity of every transaction processed through our platform.

Condition and Packaging

Brilliant Uncirculated indicates that the coin was produced to a standard commercial mint strike and has not been placed into circulation. The surfaces retain their original mint appearance with clean fields and well-defined design elements, though BU coins are not held to the same exacting standards as proof or specimen strikes. Some minor handling marks may be present from the minting and packaging process, which is normal for coins in this grade.

Individual coins ship in a protective plastic flip to preserve surface condition during transit. A standard tube for this coin holds 20 pieces, and tubes will ship accordingly when that quantity is ordered. Full sealed boxes containing 500 coins represent the outer pack for this series. Packaging format is determined by quantity ordered, and we take care in fulfillment to ensure coins arrive in the condition described.

Pricing and Market Factors

The price of this coin is derived from the live spot price of gold, with a premium applied above that base. The premium reflects the cost of production, The Perth Mint's recognized quality standards, and the added demand that annual-issue Lunar coins carry relative to generic gold products. Fractional coins also tend to carry proportionally higher premiums per ounce than full-ounce pieces due to the fixed costs associated with striking smaller coins.

Demand patterns for Lunar series coins can shift based on the zodiac year in question, collector interest in specific animals, and overall gold market conditions. Our pricing reflects real-time market conditions, and the bid/ask spread displayed on our product pages gives buyers a clear picture of current acquisition cost relative to resale value at the time of purchase.

Selling and Liquidity

Gold coins issued by The Perth Mint are recognized across global dealer and secondary market networks, and the Lunar series specifically has established itself as a tradeable product category with consistent demand. The coin's .9999 purity, sovereign backing, and standardized weight make it straightforward to price and transact in most resale environments.

We operate a two-way market, meaning customers can sell back to us using competitive wholesale bid pricing, not just purchase. This structure allows buyers to consider the full transaction cycle before committing to a purchase rather than treating liquidity as an afterthought. Our platform displays live bid pricing so the relationship between acquisition cost and current resale value is always visible.

Why Buy the 2016 Australia Gold Lunar Monkey?

This coin offers a combination of attributes that few single products deliver together. It carries the credibility of a government-backed Australian legal tender issue, the production quality of The Perth Mint, and the visual distinction of a series with a well-documented collector following. The Monkey year holds particular appeal within Chinese zodiac-themed numismatics, and Series II coins are recognized as a distinct and complete collector set in their own right.

For buyers focused purely on gold content, the .9999 purity is among the highest available in the market, and the quarter-ounce format provides flexibility without sacrificing the recognizability that supports efficient resale. The BU condition strikes a practical balance between quality and accessibility at a price point more attainable than comparable proof issues from the same series.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

We have been operating as a nationally recognized precious metals dealer since 2010, built on a foundation of transparent pricing, honest sourcing, and a consistent commitment to customer trust. Our A rating with the Better Business Bureau and active memberships in the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association reflect the standards we hold ourselves to across every transaction.

As authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC, we bring institutional-level authentication standards to our retail operations. Our pricing is structured around real-time market conditions with no unnecessary complexity, and our two-way marketplace means we stand behind the products we sell by actively buying them back at competitive wholesale prices. Every aspect of the purchasing experience, from payment processing to fulfillment, is designed to be secure, straightforward, and transparent.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing on products including coins like this one. Rather than working from static retail prices, Pro members transact directly at real-time wholesale market levels, with no additional dealer markups layered on top. This creates a more transparent pricing environment where premiums and bid/ask spreads reflect actual supply and demand conditions rather than fixed retail structures.

Pro also provides real-time portfolio valuation using live executable wholesale bid prices, giving members a more accurate picture of current liquidation value rather than estimated retail values. Combined with access to historical premium analytics, spread analysis, and liquidity metrics, Bullion Standard Pro is designed for buyers who want to evaluate the market with the same clarity that is standard in more established financial markets.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We support a broad range of payment methods to make purchasing straightforward and secure regardless of how you prefer to transact. 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 environment designed to protect your information and facilitate smooth order completion.

Whether you are buying a single coin or building a larger position, the flexibility of our payment infrastructure means the process adapts to your preferences rather than the other way around. Our fulfillment and support teams are in place to ensure every order, regardless of size or payment method, is handled with the same reliability and attention to detail.

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