2012 Australian Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program Unveiled

48 Comments

• August 24 2011

  Coin Critic says:

  I'm sorry to say after all the hype about the coming 2012 dragons:
  
  a) the gold dragon looks exhausted, wobbly and way too skinny;  and
  
  b) the silver dragon, although a simple reverse of the 2000 silver dragon, whilst lack originality is an all time classic and nice.
  
  Well done and worth the wait.

• August 24 2011

  PMcat says:

  I think the silver design is very nice, I hope I can get my hands on a few of these.
  Gold dragon however needs to get off the diet ;p

• August 24 2011

  Feng Shui Master says:

  The gold dragon looks weak and skinny... you should have had a word with your feng shui consultant about the implications of that before giving this design your ok.

• August 24 2011

  Cerul says:

  The links for the brochures aren't working for me. Are they broken?
  
  Admin note: We've checked and they are working fine. Please refresh your page and try again.

• August 24 2011

  Frank says:

  How is a sleeping koala a good design for coin? 

• August 24 2011

  Coin Critic says:

  The gold dragon is missing a "finger" from its front left set of claws.

• August 24 2011

  Dirk says:

  @ Coin Critic
  
  Acually it looks to me that the finger is not missing, but pointing to the spectator.

• August 24 2011

  Coin Critic says:

  @ Dirk
  
  Pictures and brochures enlarged and counted... 1, 2, 3, 4.  Nothing pointed at me.

• August 24 2011

  Coin Critic says:

  @ Dirk
  
  I should've clarified my claws counts.  The number of claws of the gold dragon counted - claws facing the directions of:
  
  10 o'clock = 5
  8 o'clock = 5
  4 o'clock = 5
  Centre of coin = 4   
  
  Even if someone tried to pull the "facing the audience" thing, I don't think it'll be appreciated because it's bound to create this debate.  In any event, the other three claws are clearly, visibly five hence consistency is better and safer.  It looks like an error now don't you think?
  

• August 25 2011

  Tony says:

  I wish there was a public voting system for each year's design. I really like most of this years designs(!) with just one exception that is the Koala. I really don't like the drawing of it's paw. Still nice work Mint.

• August 25 2011

  Dirk says:

  Sorry, I changed my mind after looking at a better version of the picture.
  There are definitly only 4 claws shown.
  
  Another remaining explanation is that the 5th claw is hidden behing the dragons hand. Only the designer of the coin will know. :-)
  

• August 25 2011

  David.M. says:

  The 2010 Tiger series of coins have been out of mint now for a year but still the mintages have not been updated on the Perth Mint bullion website - hopefully sometime soon ?!

• August 26 2011

  Coin Critic says:

  @ Dirk
  
  Upon closer inspection, you'll realise that there is a disconnect between the fins on the dragon's back and the set of left claws thus the it's hidden behind the dragon argument won't gel in either.  The gap is there. 
  
  I wished it would because I've been trying to look for an excuse myself to justify the purchase of what could have been a flawless design. 
  
  And please don't get me started on the droopy horn.  The perspective is odd.
  
  When a troy ounce of these costs over $1,782 (at time of writing), such error is uncompromisable. 

• August 26 2011

  P.G. says:

  @ Coin Critic
  
  If it's uncompromisable, don't buy it. The demand for these coins are so great, I'm sure there are plenty of people who will gladly jump at the opportunity to buy such 'disappointing' coins in your stead.

• August 26 2011

  Coin Critic says:

  @ P.G.
  
  Can not take constructive criticism? 
  
  I have no doubt these will sellout in 3 seconds flat but that does not give you the right to stop me or others from airing our views of what I or others think about the designs.
  
  There are others, myself include, who have missed out on the 2000 dragons, and waited 12 years only to get these.

• August 26 2011

  P.G. says:

  I'm certainly not stopping anyone from airing their views... just trying to encourage people to be more realistic. Everything has flaws, we should all just be here enjoying a new release we have all waited so long for! Look on the bright side :)

• August 27 2011

  German says:

  Hi Stephen,
  
  great article. Thanks a lot for it!
  
  This time, however, I want to expose a situation occuring in Germany with the 1 oz silver dragon. This coins have been offered for outragous prices! This including an official distributor of the PM, where the coins reached 76 euros (around 110 USD)! I mena, this is only a pre-sale, right? Or will the PM also offer these coins to its distributors with a high premium?
  
  If you read all commentas about those dealers and also about the PM in the most popular forums, you might start worrying not only about the future of the series there, but also about your own reputation!
  
  I hope you can bring some order to this abussive mess, just like the USM did with its 5 oz silver bullions last year.
  

• August 27 2011

  Ivan says:

  Hi Perth Mint,
  
  I want to make a substantial purchase from you, but I am very dissapointed with your customer service. They are very slow to reply to emails, if they reply at all, because most often they never do.
  
  It is a big hassle to even set up an account with you. We are from New Zealand, so we had to send in our identification documents by airmail, which we did. We mailed a scan of a driver's liscense (certified at the police station), plus two original (not copies) energy and telephone utility bills. It then took two weeks for someone to email us back to acknoweldge they had received the documents. They then told us that we have to also certify the utility bills, which were ORIGINAL documents, not copies, and mail them again to you. Nowhere in the certification instructions does it state original documents need to be certified.
  
  I haven't received any reply back after I sent you an email a week and a half ago to let you know that the utility bills are original documents and not copies.
  
  If you're not interested in new customers and going to treat everyone as potential terrorists/money launderers or whatever, you should just state so on your website so people don't waste their time sending you documents that you ignore.
  
  Administrator: Please note that we do not ask for 'original' identification documents on our website. Our requirement is for 'certified/notarized copies of original identification documents'.
  
  Should this situation change in the future, we will advertise the fact on the website.

• August 28 2011

  archer says:

  Will there be any gilded silver coins in this series??
  
  Administrator: Gilded Dragons will be released on 4 October 2011. You may wish to order via our our numismatic website site www.perthmint.com.au on that day.

• August 29 2011

  Ron Currie says:

  Hi German
  
  Thanks for your comment. Please note that the premium at which we are selling this year’s 1oz Lunar Dragon silver coin is unaltered from last year’s Rabbit coin.  The price at which dealers offer the coin for sale in the market is beyond the control of The Perth Mint.
  
  Regards
  
  Ron Currie
  Sales & Marketing Director

• August 31 2011

  All the Woo Haa says:

  It is harder for me to buy a couple (serisously, max. a couple) of these from within my own country than from overseas.

• September 02 2011

  J. says:

  Out of the 1oz of 30,000 gold and 300,000 silver dragons, what are the percentages (%) allocated for Australian domestic market and the balance overseas?
  
  Thanks.

• September 15 2011

  stinkyhank says:

  @ coin critic
  
  are you a Manly supporter ? If not, you should be.
  
  Re: Organising a Account with PM.
  
  YES the BS is 100ft deep.
  
  Dunno why it is that way, if you want to purchase through say APMEX, you just sign up and rip out the CC.
  
  If PM wanted to take the BS any further, they will have to request a liver sample.

• September 21 2011

  You've Lost Me says:

  Let me get this straight, a limit of 1 roll (20 pieces) per customer was imposed so some other coin shop could now impose their 5 rolls (100 pieces) per customer?
  
  Administrator: The Perth Mint cannot control what its wholesale customers offer their retail customers.

• September 22 2011

  You've Lost Me says:

  After you have hyped the dragons to the max in many of your previous posts prior to its launch, a more generous allocation for your counter and online stores would have been appropriate.  Otherwise, let your wholesale customers do the hype.
  
  

• September 28 2011

  NOEL says:

  Dear collector,
  
  The gold dragon design is missed. To be imperial, the dragon have to have 5 claws and there is one missing, that is unacceptable !
  
  I bought 20 this morning and I paid 17% premiun for a wrong design !
  
  I'm not shure Perth Mint will recognized his mistake and propose another.
  
  Lunar 2 serie will not be a good one to collect !

• September 30 2011

  Photos Please says:

  @ Noel.  I share your disappointment about the claw. 
  
  Now, about the releases for coming 4th Oct.  Perth Mint marketing / publicity, please undo the habit of last minute releases or on the day releases of photos.  I hate that.  I'm sure others too.  Considering withdrawing a little bit of cash or taking an hour or so off from work for something I don't even know how they'd look like.  Wait and you miss out (eg. 1oz silver dragons).

• October 04 2011

  Pirate says:

  Is there any reason why the gemstone edition dragon only has one eye gemmed?  It looks <insert opinion>.

• October 05 2011

  P.G says:

  Ox and Mouse had two gemstone eyes, more recent releases Tiger and Rabbit had only one also.
  
  Maybe it depends on the value of the stone being set into the coin? That's just a theory...

• October 05 2011

  J. says:

  As far as I am aware PM did not release any stand alone 2012 1/2oz silver proof dragons and the only way to get them is from the 3 coins set.
  
  See:  http://www.perthmint.com.au/catalogue/australian-lunar-series-ii-2012-year-of-the-dragon-silver-proof-coin-issue.aspx
  
  However, I have now seen a few of these 1/2oz online - they come in the similar packaging styles, box and C.O.A.  They looked legit to me.
  
  Is this something not available locally?

• October 05 2011

  J. says:

  To make my question clear, I was not referring to the colourised proof but plain proof.
  
  Thanks.

• October 05 2011

  Ron Currie says:

  Hi J
  
  Our Russian distributor is offering a limited number of 1/2oz silver proof Dragon coins in individual presentation packaging. Individual coins are not available locally, but as you rightly point out, they were offered in Australia as part of the 2012 Three-Coin Set.  Our retail channel has sold its full allocation of the set, but it may still be available through our official dealer network.
  
  Regards
  
  Ron Currie

• October 14 2011

  J. says:

  Hi Ron
  
  I'm just wondering if we will be getting a colourised edition of 1oz gold dragon?  Is so, launch date?  Photos?
  
  Regards
  J.
  

• October 14 2011

  Stephen Ward says:

  Hello J,
  
  Our next numismatic release on 1 November will feature a Gold Coloured Proof Dragon amongst other amazing coins.
  
  You may check the list of New Releases on our coin collector website:
  http://www.perthmint.com.au/forthcoming-releases.aspx
  
  Regards,
  Stephen Ward

• October 15 2011

  J. says:

  Hi Stephen
  
  Thanks! 
  
  If only there are photos to those.  I wonder the Coloured Proof Gold Dragon is the same as the ones produced by PM for Chinacoin.
  
  Speaking of which, does PM have any plan to make available the nine (9) coins Coloured Silver Dragons set locally?  Similarly, I'm referring to the ones produced by PM for Chinacoin.
  
  Regards
  J.

• October 18 2011

  NOEL says:

  Hi Perth Mint,
  
  The design of the silver dragon is really good. Do you plan to issue this one in Palladium or in Platinum ? It will be a fantastic and superbe idea of gift.
  
  Many thanks for your anser.
  Regards,
  P.

• October 18 2011

  Stephen Ward says:

  Hi Noel
  
  Thanks for your comment about the Dragon design.  We currently offer a Platypus platinum coin but have no plans to issue a palladium coin.
  
  Regards
  
  Stephen Ward

• October 18 2011

  J. says:

  Hi Stephen
  
  I think you might have overlooked my question dated October 15th.
  
  I wonder the Coloured Proof Gold Dragon due for release is the same as the ones produced by PM for Chinacoin.
  
  Does PM have any plan to make available the nine (9) coins set of Coloured Silver Dragons locally?  Similarly, I'm referring to the ones produced by PM for Chinacoin.
  
  Regards
  J.

• October 18 2011

  Stephen Ward says:

  Hi J
  
  I haven't overlooked your question - I just don't have all the information yet.
  
  In answer to your first query, they are different coins.
  
  Please check back in a day or so as the second issue you've raised is being discussed internally this week.
  
  Regards
  
  Stephen Ward

• October 19 2011

  Stephen Ward says:

  Hi J
  
  A final decision on this whether the nine coin Dragon set will be made available has been deferred at this time. Please keep an eye on our numismatic website/ newsletter for a possible announcement.
  
  Regards
  
  Stephen Ward

• October 19 2011

  J. says:

  Hi Stephen
  
  Thanks for getting back.
  
  Would hate to resort to reverse import them and a pity where the Mint is just minutes from where most of us in Perth live.
  
  The range of these export quality products are very diverse and superior.  We're all aware that our best fresh produce, meats, fruits and seafoods are exported and now coins?  It's beyond a joke.
  
  I hope a favourable decision can be realised. 
  
  Regards
  Jeff

• October 20 2011

  P.G. says:

  It does say elsewhere on the blog (sorry can't remember where I saw it) that the lunar series was designed as an export product (to get foreigners interesting in purchasing and investing in the Perth Mint's metal products). So it's not really the same as saying all the best produce etc. are all exported, as this specific series was designed mostly for export in the first place. I guess that's just my 2c based on what I've read.
  
  It's funny how the series has been going for, what, something like 17 years? And only now are people starting to get worked up about it. Everyone needs to calm down about this dragon business :)

• October 21 2011

  J. says:

  This series is all about the Oriental culture and an understanding of the significance of the dragons will help understand what this is all about. 
  
  The series can continue for a further 17 years for anyone might care but within that there will only be 1 more dragon's years.  The dragon appears once every 12 years in the lunar calender cycle.
  
  This will make an excellent case study on the contributory factors for online retail boom i.e. products available overseas are more diverse if not superior.
  
  Do take the opportunity to compare the designs of the locally available 4 rectangle coloured dragons set with the requested 9 coloured dragons set.
  
  I've read so many requests for these export products to be made available locally on other blogs but I think they're barking up the wrong tree or just barking amongst themselves.  I invite them to similarly make the request for consideration directly with Perth Mint - over here.  At this moment, it feels like I'm the only one interested and I'm cool if Perth Mint does not take this any further because it does not make business sense for Perth Mint to take my sole request further. 
  
  Then you have G.P. pouring cold water.  What...?  I'm not even demanding, only requesting.

• October 21 2011

  J D says:

  I too am very interested in the 9 coin coloured proof set that has been released in china - It would be much better to order it straight from the mint than to pay more taxes and duties to order from China! My fingers are crossed for a favourable decision :-) I know of many collectors who are hoping for the same.

• October 21 2011

  P.G. says:

  I'm sorry if you perceive my comments as "pouring cold water"... I just hope people on this blog - and on the many other blogs and outlets that are expressing criticism of the dragon coins' release process - can remain cool-headed and observe this situation with both perspective and a respect for the reality of the situation. There seems to be the sort of anger and extreme reactions being expressed here that suit greater offences than limited coin mintages and restricted availability of numismatic releases.
  
  While there have been obvious shortfalls in the Perth Mint's treatment of these products, I see most of their actions as consistent with previous releases - which, in the long run, I see as more beneficial than detrimental. I would rather have the current situation, where I am forced to respect their year-to-year consistency, than have a situation where I felt that the Mint was taking advantage of the demand for financial gain.
  
  I do, however, understand that there could be more of a balance in between their consistency and the opportunity for collectors to obtain interesting items in the dragon series. It seems that the Perth Mint could release anything with a dragon on it and it would be incredibly popular. More options on the market would certainly be appreciated and I don't object to that. I suppose with all the fuss about the dragon coins around, it's hard to tell the difference between a request and the sort of demands that are regularly thrown about.
  
  On a personal note, as someone who was actually born in the Year of the Dragon, the dragon coins will always be particularly special to me, and it gets hard to see people chasing them for reasons other than the sentimental reasons I have. As always, though, these are just my 2 cents. Each to their own of course, and I am interested in the variety of opinions being expressed here. I hope I have been able to clarify my own.

• October 24 2011

  J. says:

  Also, the Year of Dragon is not a celebration confined to China. 
  
  PM, please take note.

• November 12 2011

  sarahsam says:

  The quality of the Australian Lunar Gold Coin Series is excellent and the coins are very beautiful.I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this post. 

• December 08 2011

  Billy Black Smith says:

  I'd like to reply to JD.
  
  JD, your comment:
  
  

  "I too am very interested in the 9 coin coloured proof set that has been released in china"
  
  The coins in the 9 coin set are not proof, they are not even specimen quality they are infact coloured bullion coins.
  
  Having said that, it would have been nice to save part of the mintage so some of us Aussies could get a set.
  
  There is a huge Chinese population in Australia,  In the 2006 Australian Census, 669,890 Australian residents identified themselves as having Chinese ancestry.
  
  Best to all for Christmas.
  
  Billy