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Inventory:
1 In Stock
- Product ID: 11695
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| Metal/Chg | Bid | Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Updated: 05/01/25 10:54:02 | ||
Silver
-0.45
|
$32.06 | $32.43 |
The 2012 Australia 2 oz Silver Lunar Dragon is a magnificent release in the prestigious Lunar Series II program produced by the Perth Mint. Lunar coins from Australia have gained worldwide acclaim for their stunning designs, limited mintages, and fine craftsmanship, attracting collectors and investors alike. The 2012 issue, featuring the Dragon, holds special significance within the Chinese zodiac cycle, as the Dragon is considered the most auspicious and powerful of all twelve zodiac animals. Those born under the Year of the Dragon are believed to embody traits such as strength, courage, and success. The Dragon’s legendary status in Eastern cultures made the 2012 release one of the most anticipated and sought-after issues in the series. The Perth Mint’s Lunar Series II, which began in 2008 and concluded in 2019, carried on the tradition established by the original Lunar Series, offering coins of exceptional purity and artistry.
The obverse of the 2012 2 oz Silver Lunar Dragon features the familiar portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a design created by Ian Rank-Broadley. This effigy has been a standard feature on Australian coinage since 1999 and portrays the Queen in right-facing profile, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara. Surrounding the portrait are the inscriptions "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," the year "2012," and the denomination "2 DOLLARS." Also noted are the coin's weight and purity, "2 OZ 999 SILVER." The obverse offers a sense of regal formality and ties the Lunar series into the broader context of Australian coinage, reminding collectors of the coin’s official legal tender status under Australian law. The polished fields and frosted details create a beautiful contrast that is particularly pronounced on these high-quality silver issues, further enhancing their visual appeal.
The reverse of the 2012 Australia 2 oz Silver Lunar Dragon is where the coin truly shines, featuring a breathtaking design of a Chinese dragon, winding gracefully across the surface of the coin. Designed by artist Warren Langley, the dragon is depicted with intricate scales, a long flowing body, sharp claws, and a powerful, dynamic posture, chasing a flaming pearl—a symbol of wisdom, prosperity, and power. The detailing on the dragon’s scales and whiskers, combined with the textured waves beneath it, demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship. The Chinese character for "Dragon" appears above the creature, while the word "DRAGON" and the Perth Mint's "P" mintmark are also incorporated into the design. The artistry and symbolic richness of the reverse captured the imagination of collectors worldwide and made the 2012 Lunar Dragon one of the most iconic and highly prized releases in the entire Lunar Series II lineup.
The Perth Mint, located in Western Australia, has long been celebrated for its excellence in precious metal coin production. Originally established in 1899 as a branch of Britain's Royal Mint, the Perth Mint has since evolved into one of the world's foremost mints, known for its innovative designs, technical prowess, and commitment to quality. The Lunar Series II coins, including the 2012 Dragon, are struck from .999 fine silver and produced with meticulous attention to detail. The Perth Mint uses advanced minting technology to ensure sharp reliefs, deeply mirrored fields, and superb frosted elements, delivering coins that meet the highest international standards for proof and bullion coinage. Each 2 oz Lunar Dragon is struck as a bullion coin but is distinguished by its superior strike quality and beautiful design, rivaling even some proof strikes in appearance and presentation.
The mintage of the 2012 Australia 2 oz Silver Lunar Dragon was limited to just 55,000 pieces, a relatively small figure that enhances the coin’s desirability among collectors. The controlled production run ensures that demand remains high and that the coin retains its premium status over standard bullion releases. Compared to the one-ounce version, which also saw significant collector interest, the two-ounce variant offers a larger canvas for the intricate dragon design, allowing for even greater appreciation of the fine details and artistry. The 2 oz size also provides a perfect balance for collectors who seek a substantial amount of silver content along with the visual impact of a larger coin without venturing into even heavier denominations like the 5 oz or 1 kg pieces. As the years pass, the 2 oz Dragon’s limited availability and cultural significance have only enhanced its reputation and collectible appeal.
The condition of the 2012 Australia 2 oz Silver Lunar Dragon is typically outstanding when sourced from reputable dealers or from coins that have been carefully stored since release. Coins that have been preserved in their original capsules or mint-sealed packaging generally exhibit brilliant, unblemished surfaces, with no signs of handling, spotting, or tarnish. The mirrored fields and frosted devices maintain their crisp separation, and the fine details of the dragon's body, the pearl, and the background textures remain sharply struck and full of life. Given the coin’s popularity and collector value, many examples have been professionally graded, often achieving high Mint State or Prooflike designations, further affirming the Perth Mint’s superb quality control. A well-preserved 2 oz Dragon can serve as a center-piece of a Lunar Series II collection or as a standalone work of numismatic art in any serious silver portfolio.
The broader significance of the 2012 Australia 2 oz Silver Lunar Dragon extends beyond its numismatic value. The dragon is not only a revered figure in Chinese culture but also a universal symbol of strength, ambition, and good fortune. As such, the 2012 Lunar Dragon attracted interest from collectors around the world, including strong demand from Asia, where dragon imagery holds particular resonance. This global appeal has helped ensure that the 2012 Dragon maintains a strong market presence, with secondary market prices reflecting its sustained desirability. Collectors and investors alike recognize that the Lunar Dragon is a "key" coin in the entire Lunar Series II program, often considered an essential acquisition for anyone attempting to build a complete set or for those simply seeking the most iconic issues in modern silver coinage.
The market for the 2012 Australia 2 oz Silver Lunar Dragon remains vibrant and competitive, with prices for pristine examples regularly commanding premiums above the intrinsic silver value. The combination of low mintage, exceptional design, and broad cultural significance ensures continuing demand. Coins that have been graded by major services such as PCGS or NGC, especially those receiving top grades like MS70 or PF70, are particularly sought after and can command substantial additional premiums. Furthermore, as the Lunar Series II matures and becomes increasingly recognized as a landmark in modern world coinage, interest from both Western and Asian markets is expected to remain strong, securing the 2012 2 oz Dragon’s place as one of the most collectible modern silver coins globally.
The 2012 Australia 2 oz Silver Lunar Dragon stands as a shining example of modern minting excellence, combining breathtaking artistry, limited production, and deep symbolic meaning. Whether appreciated for its stunning dragon design, its tangible connection to one of the most revered figures in Chinese mythology, or its impeccable production standards, the 2 oz Lunar Dragon continues to captivate collectors and investors around the world. It serves as a testament to the Perth Mint’s legacy of quality and creativity, and it remains one of the most iconic and desirable issues in the celebrated Lunar Series II. For anyone passionate about precious metals or numismatic art, the 2012 Lunar Dragon is an undeniable treasure worthy of pride and admiration.
