1 oz Lunar III Year of the Horse Gold Bar | Perth Mint

1 oz Lunar III Year of the Horse Gold Bar 2026 — bullion gold bar at GoldInvest24

1 oz Lunar III Year of the Horse Gold Bar 2026 is a commemorative bullion gold bar weighing 1 oz (31.103 g), struck from pure 999.9/1000 (.9999) fine gold, issued by The Perth Mint (Western Australia, established 1899) as the seventh release of the third twelve-year Lunar series (Lunar III, 2020-2031). The bar is delivered in a certified protective blister with an individual serial number stamped on the product and a manufacturer's assay card.

The price of this bar depends on the current gold spot price, weight, availability of the specific year, production cost and market premium reflecting the collectible character of the Lunar III series. When purchasing, it is worth comparing the product with other commemorative gold bars of the same weight and checking the current stock in the gold bullion bars category.

Why choose 1 oz Lunar III Year of the Horse Gold Bar 2026?

• .9999 fine gold purity — the highest 24K bullion standard, compliant with LBMA Good Delivery requirements.
• Manufacturer: The Perth Mint (Perth, Western Australia, established 1899) — one of the oldest mints in the world still in continuous operation, accredited by LBMA Good Delivery for gold and silver.
• Limited annual issue within Lunar III (2020-2031) — the seventh bar in the third twelve-year series dedicated to Chinese zodiac animals, with a natural production cut-off at the end of 2026.
• Fire Horse motif from the Chinese zodiac — 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse (17 February 2026 to 5 February 2027), recurring in the five-element cycle once every 60 years (previously 1966, next in 2086).
• EU customers: gold bullion in the EU is subject to the standard VAT exemption for investment gold (≥995/1000 purity) under EU Directive 2006/112/EC and national implementations — please consult local tax regulations.

Expert commentary — Lunar III in a precious metals portfolio

The Perth Mint Lunar series is one of the three pillars of the Australian bullion programme — alongside Kangaroo (the year-round classic since 1989) and Koala (since 2007). Lunar is a themed series with a 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle, meaning each year a single new release is produced featuring a different animal. Lunar III is the third generation of the series, beginning in 2020 (Year of the Rat) and ending in 2031 (Year of the Pig). Year of the Horse 2026 is the seventh release out of twelve — exactly mid-cycle.

The 1 oz bar in a certified Lunar III blister differs from classic Perth Mint bullion bars in its themed graphic design and natural emission boundary — production will be closed at the end of the Chinese Year of the Horse (5 February 2027), after which the bar will be available exclusively on the secondary market. This adds a collectible value beyond the metal content alone.

From a portfolio structure perspective, the Lunar III bar serves two functions simultaneously: stable bullion value (the spot price for 31.103 g of .9999 gold is objective and independent of trends) and collectible potential (bars from the previous Lunar II series — e.g. Year of the Horse 2014 — recorded premiums of 5-15% above spot after the issue closed, depending on packaging condition and mintage). Unlike coins, bars do not have legal tender status — their value derives solely from the metal and collectible context.

What to consider before buying a 1 oz Lunar III gold bar?

• Authenticity and certificate — Perth Mint uses certified blisters with a serial number stamped on the bar and repeated on the assay card. Verify number consistency.
• Packaging condition — a bar in an undisturbed blister with a legible assay card retains full collectible value. Opening the blister reduces resale price by 5-10%.
• Secondary market liquidity — Lunar III bullion bars are less recognisable on the European market than Krugerrand or Maple Leaf, but have a strong position within the collector community.
• Storage — store the bar in a dry place, in the original blister, ideally in a certified home safe (EN 14450 minimum class 0/I) or a bank safe deposit box.
• Year premium — bars from the early years of Lunar III (Rat 2020, Ox 2021) start to develop rising premiums after stock is depleted. The Year of the Horse 2026 — while production continues — is available at a relatively low premium.

Why buy at GoldInvest24?

• Authorised dealer of Perth Mint and other LBMA Good Delivery accredited producers — goods sourced through official distribution channels.
• Full company transparency — Powel Invest Sp. z o.o., Polish company registry KRS 0000894161, NIP 7372227235, physical office in Mszana Górna, Poland.
• Secure and discreet shipping via insured courier after order completion, in-person collection available by prior arrangement.
• Gold bullion buyback programme at prices linked to London Gold PM Fix — Lunar III bars in original blister with assay card achieve prices above standard bullion buyback rates.

Comparison table — 1 oz themed gold bars vs classic bars

Technical specification

FAQ — frequently asked questions

How does Lunar III differ from Lunar I and Lunar II?
These are three consecutive twelve-year Perth Mint Lunar cycles. Lunar I ran 1996-2007, Lunar II 2008-2019, Lunar III began in 2020 (Year of the Rat) and will end in 2031 (Year of the Pig). Each generation features refreshed animal motif designs. Bars from earlier Lunar I and Lunar II series — particularly the first issues — achieve significant premiums above spot on the secondary market.

Why does the Lunar III bar have a higher premium than a classic 1 oz bar?
The Lunar III premium is typically 4-6 percentage points higher than a classic 1 oz bar of the same weight. It consists of three elements: additional production cost (special motif die, dedicated themed blister), limited mintage (production only in the given zodiac year) and collectible element (after the issue closes, the bar gains the status of a closed-cycle product). In return, you receive a product with significantly higher potential for value appreciation on the secondary market after 2027.

Is Perth Mint a trusted manufacturer?
Yes. The Perth Mint is one of the oldest mints in the world still in continuous operation — established 20 June 1899 as a branch of the British Royal Mint to process gold from Western Australian mines at Kalgoorlie. Since 1970 the mint has been owned by the Government of Western Australia. It holds LBMA Good Delivery accreditation for gold and silver, and its products are present on all major bullion markets worldwide.

Is gold bullion VAT-exempt in the EU?
Yes. Investment gold of at least 995/1000 purity in bar or wafer form, with weights accepted by bullion markets, is VAT-exempt under EU Directive 2006/112/EC. In Poland this is implemented via art. 122 of the VAT Act. The price displayed is the final price — please consult local tax regulations for your country.

What is the mintage of the Lunar III Year of the Horse 2026 bar?
Perth Mint does not publish official production figures for Lunar III bars (unlike Lunar III coins, where 1 oz mintage typically reaches 30,000 pieces). The practical issuance limit is the end of the Chinese Year of the Horse (5 February 2027). After this date production will be closed and bars will be available only on the secondary market — historically translating into rising premiums.

Is the Lunar III bar suitable as a gift?
Yes. The 1 oz format in a certified blister with the Horse motif from the Chinese zodiac is a classic gift choice for Chinese New Year, birthdays of people born in the Year of the Horse (1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026), important anniversaries or as a commemorative bullion gift. The combination of bullion value, attractive design and limited time availability makes this bar a present with real and measurable financial value.

Choose 1 oz Lunar III Year of the Horse Gold Bar 2026 at GoldInvest24 — check the current gold price and compare the offer with the gold bullion bars category to make an informed purchase decision.