Overview of the 2016 2 oz Australia Gold Lunar Monkey (Series II)

The 2016 Gold Lunar Monkey is a 2 troy ounce coin struck in .9999 fine gold by The Perth Mint as part of its acclaimed Series II Lunar collection. Issued under Australian legal tender status, the coin carries a face value and bears the Mint's "P" mintmark, confirming its origin and government-backed authenticity. The Series II Lunar program represents one of the most recognized annual releases in the global gold coin market, drawing consistent interest from both dedicated collectors and buyers focused on larger-format gold holdings. We carry this coin in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, reflecting the high production standards for which The Perth Mint is widely known.

History and Background

The Perth Mint launched its Series II Lunar program in 2008, building on the original Series I collection that began in 1996. Each coin in the series is tied to a specific year in the Chinese lunar calendar, making the 2016 release a dedicated tribute to the Year of the Monkey. The program was designed to offer improved design quality and an expanded range of sizes compared to its predecessor, and it has maintained a loyal following across multiple markets since its introduction. The Perth Mint itself has operated since 1899 and occupies a distinct position among government mints worldwide. Originally established as a branch of the Royal Mint of London, it has operated under Western Australian and later federal oversight and has developed a reputation for exceptional coin finishing and innovation in precious metals production. Its Lunar series helped establish the mint's presence as a major player in collector-focused gold coinage alongside institutions like the Royal Canadian Mint and the U.S. Mint. The 2 oz format was added to the Series II lineup to serve buyers seeking a more substantial single-coin gold holding while maintaining the same intricate design quality found in smaller denominations. Production quantities for larger-format Lunar coins are typically far lower than the standard 1 oz issues, which contributes to their strong collector recognition over time.

Design and Aesthetics

The reverse of the 2016 Gold Lunar Monkey features a detailed depiction of a monkey in a naturalistic setting, rendered with the fine engraving and layered detail characteristic of The Perth Mint's Lunar series. The composition captures the playful character associated with the monkey in Chinese tradition, and the artistry reflects a level of precision that sets this coin apart from more standardized bullion offerings. The year of issue and metal specifications are incorporated into the reverse design without disrupting its visual balance. The obverse carries the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, which was the standard portrait used on Australian legal tender coinage during this period. The Queen's portrait is set against a clean field, with the coin's face value, country of issue, and the year clearly inscribed. The overall composition of both sides reflects the consistent presentation that has made the Series II Lunar program one of The Perth Mint's most enduring releases. The 2 oz format allows for greater surface area across both the obverse and reverse, giving engravers more space to execute fine detail in the monkey design. The Brilliant Uncirculated finish enhances the contrast between design elements and background fields, resulting in a coin that presents exceptionally well whether viewed as a single piece or housed in a display.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

Every 2016 2 oz Gold Lunar Monkey we carry is struck by The Perth Mint to a confirmed fineness of .9999, one of the highest purity standards used in modern bullion coinage. The Perth Mint operates under strict government oversight and its coins are widely recognized by dealers, refineries, and institutional buyers as meeting international weight and purity benchmarks. That level of standardization supports direct verification and consistent acceptance across wholesale and retail markets alike. We verify all products for authenticity, weight, and purity before they reach our customers. As authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC, we maintain industry-recognized relationships that support proper authentication and grading for numismatic-grade pieces. For this product in its raw Brilliant Uncirculated state, the coin's origin from The Perth Mint and the clarity of its specifications provide the primary foundation for authenticity assurance.

Condition and Packaging

Brilliant Uncirculated describes a coin that has not been placed into circulation and retains its original mint-produced surface without significant contact marks or handling wear. For The Perth Mint's Lunar series, this condition reflects the standard production quality for coins struck in full relief with attention to surface finishing. BU coins may exhibit minor bag marks or handling signs that are considered normal for coins produced in quantity and handled during packaging, but these do not affect the metal content or the coin's recognition in the market. Individual coins ship in a protective plastic flip to preserve surface condition during transit. Standard packaging for the 2016 Gold Lunar Monkey in the 2 oz format typically includes a presentation case or capsule for single coins. Larger quantities are packaged according to mint and distributor standards. If you have questions about specific packaging for a given order size, our team can clarify prior to purchase.

Pricing and Market Factors

Pricing for the 2016 2 oz Gold Lunar Monkey is based on the current spot price of gold and reflects the premium associated with this specific coin's format, series, and issuing authority. The 2 oz size carries a higher unit premium than standard 1 oz sovereign coins, which is consistent with its lower production volume and the greater collector focus of the Lunar series. Coins tied to specific lunar calendar years also tend to carry stronger secondary market recognition than generic gold products, which factors into pricing at both the purchase and resale stage. Our pricing reflects real-time market conditions and is structured transparently to provide a clear picture of what you are paying and why. The bid/ask spread displayed on our product pages evolves with market conditions, supply and demand, and shifts in the premium environment, giving buyers a more complete view of the true cost of ownership rather than just the purchase price.

Selling and Liquidity

The Perth Mint's Lunar series is globally recognized and trades actively in wholesale and retail precious metals markets. The 2016 Monkey issue in the 2 oz format is a specific dated piece with defined mintage parameters, which tends to support clearer pricing at the point of resale compared to undifferentiated rounds or generic bars. Its .9999 gold purity and government-backed issuance status are recognized benchmarks that dealers and institutional buyers apply directly when evaluating resale value. We operate a two-way market that allows customers to both purchase and sell within the same platform using competitive buyback pricing. We believe liquidity planning should be part of the decision to buy, not an afterthought when it comes time to sell. Understanding what a product is likely to return in the secondary market, alongside what it costs to acquire, provides a more honest picture of the full transaction.

Why Buy the 2016 2 oz Gold Lunar Monkey?

The 2016 Lunar Monkey occupies a distinct category within the broader gold coin market. It combines the weight and purity of a recognized bullion product with the design quality and limited annual production of a collector-focused release. For buyers who want a gold coin with strong visual presence, a clear mintage structure, and the credibility of a government-backed issuer, this coin covers each of those requirements without requiring a compromise. The 2 oz format also differentiates this coin from the more common 1 oz Lunar issues. It offers a larger design canvas, a lower production volume, and a more substantial single-coin gold holding, making it a practical choice for buyers seeking to acquire meaningful weight in a recognized format without purchasing multiple pieces. Its consistent design language within the broader Series II program also makes it a logical addition for collectors building a complete set.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

We have been operating as a nationally recognized precious metals dealer since 2010, and our reputation is built on a straightforward principle: transparency creates trust. That applies to how we price products, how we communicate with customers, and how we handle every order from purchase through delivery. Our A rating with the Better Business Bureau and our memberships in the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association reflect a sustained commitment to industry standards and customer confidence. Every product we sell, including this 2016 2 oz Gold Lunar Monkey, is verified for authenticity, weight, and purity before it reaches you. As authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC, we maintain direct relationships with the leading third-party grading services in the industry. Our sourcing draws from reputable mints, wholesalers, and established distributors, and we apply consistent verification practices across the catalog. We support a transparent, two-way market structure that gives customers a clear view of pricing on both the buy and sell sides. Our pricing reflects live market conditions, and our buyback model is built to give customers genuine liquidity options rather than leaving them to search for a buyer independently. Whether you are purchasing for the first time or adding to an existing position, we are designed to make the process direct, informed, and straightforward.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across a wide range of precious metals products, including collector-focused coins like the 2016 2 oz Gold Lunar Monkey. Rather than relying on static retail markups, Pro members transact at wholesale market prices that fluctuate naturally with supply, demand, and liquidity conditions. Portfolio holdings are valued using live wholesale bid pricing, giving a more accurate picture of current liquidation value than estimated retail figures. The platform also provides access to proprietary market intelligence tools, including premium analysis, spread metrics, and historical pricing data, that help members evaluate this type of product with greater precision. For a coin with specific collector characteristics and defined production parameters, understanding how premiums have moved over time and where the current bid/ask spread sits relative to historical norms can meaningfully inform both the buying and selling decision. Bullion Standard Pro is designed to make that information accessible in a format that supports clear, data-driven decisions.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We offer a broad range of payment methods to make purchasing and selling as straightforward as possible. Accepted payment options include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, as well as PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, and cryptocurrency payments processed through BitPay. Each method is supported within a secure transaction environment designed to protect your information and give you confidence throughout the buying process. Whether you prefer a traditional payment method or a digital option, we are set up to handle it efficiently and securely.