1 oz Lunar III Year of the Horse Platinum Coin 2026

1 oz Lunar III Year of the Horse Platinum Coin 2026

1 oz Lunar III Year of the Horse Platinum Coin 2026 is a fully valuable investment platinum coin weighing 1 oz (31.103 g), struck by the renowned mint Perth Mint (Australia) from 999.5/1000 fineness platinum - the LPPM Good Delivery standard for investment platinum. The coin holds official legal tender status with a face value of 100 Australian Dollars (AUD), and its authenticity and fineness are guaranteed by the state issuer. Each piece is delivered in its original protective capsule, mint tube or blister (depending on stock availability and year of issue).

The Perth Mint is the oldest still operating mint of Australia, founded in 1899 as a branch of the British Royal Mint. The mint is owned by the Government of Western Australia and London Platinum & Palladium Market (LPPM) Good Delivery accredited. Perth Mint is the issuer of prestigious platinum coins of the Australian Kangaroo and Lunar (Chinese zodiac) series, which combine investment value with collector appeal. Also see the full Platinum and Palladium category available at GoldInvest24.

Australian Lunar - Year of the Horse series - characteristics

The Australian Lunar - Year of the Horse coin has been issued by The Perth Mint continuously since 2026. Lunar Series III edition - limited annual mintage. High demand from Asian collectors (China, Singapore, Taiwan) enhances premium potential on the secondary market. The coin has a diameter of 32.6 mm, a thickness of 2.6 mm and a reeded edge.

The obverse features effigy of King Charles III (or Queen Elizabeth II in earlier issues). The reverse features horse - the seventh sign of the Chinese zodiac, symbol of energy and independence in Asian tradition. 2026 year motif designed by Perth Mint artists.

Key product features

• highest platinum fineness 999.5/1000 - LPPM Good Delivery standard for investment platinum;
• official legal tender status with a face value of 100 Australian Dollars (AUD) - authenticity guaranteed by the state issuer;
• issuer: Perth Mint (Australia, mint operating since 1899);
• mass: 1 oz (31.103 g), diameter 32.6 mm, thickness 2.6 mm;
• year: 2026 (current year);
• platinum density 21.45 g/cm³ - significantly higher than gold (19.32) and almost double that of silver (10.49);
• platinum is about 30 times rarer than gold - annual mine output ~190 tonnes vs ~3,100 tonnes for gold (WPIC, World Gold Council);
• subject to standard VAT - platinum bullion is not covered by the gold-specific exemption from Council Directive 98/80/EC (typically 23% in Poland, 19% in Germany);
• high global recognition and liquidity - the Australian Lunar - Year of the Horse is one of the most traded platinum bullion coins worldwide;
• precious metals portfolio diversification - platinum has a different price profile from gold and silver (strong correlation with industrial demand, especially automotive catalytic converters).

Authenticity guarantee and legal tender status

Every Australian Lunar - Year of the Horse coin holds official legal tender status with a face value of 100 Australian Dollars (AUD). This means its authenticity, fineness and weight are guaranteed by the state issuer (Australia). This is a fundamental difference compared to investment platinum bars - there the guarantee is issued by a private refinery, while a coin is additionally protected by the minting law of the issuing state. The legal tender status also means the coin is classified differently than a cast bar at the European level, which may be relevant for cross-border trading.

Why invest in platinum?

Platinum is one of the rarest precious metals in the world and at the same time a key industrial raw material used in automotive catalytic converters (Diesel engines, hydrogen fuel cells), electronics and jewellery. Annual global mine output is around 190 tonnes, making platinum about 30 times rarer than gold (data: World Platinum Investment Council, World Gold Council). This natural scarcity, combined with growing demand from hydrogen technologies, creates a unique investment profile - distinct from classical monetary metals such as gold or silver.

Investors building a diversified precious metals portfolio include platinum to complement gold and silver positions. Also see investment gold coins and silver bullion coins at GoldInvest24.

Technical specification

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is 1 oz Lunar III Year of the Horse Platinum Coin 2026 an original Perth Mint bullion coin?

Yes. The coin is an original product of The Perth Mint (Australia) made of 999.5/1000 fineness platinum, struck at the state mint of Australia. It carries official legal tender status with a face value of 100 Australian Dollars (AUD), meaning its authenticity, fineness and weight are guaranteed by the state issuer. GoldInvest24 sources its products exclusively from authorised distribution channels.

How does a platinum coin differ from a platinum bar?

The main difference lies in legal status: an investment coin is official legal tender issued by a state mint, while a bar is a product of a private refinery (e.g. Valcambi, PAMP, JM). A coin typically carries a slightly higher premium over spot due to minting costs and seigniorage, but in return offers additional recognition, easier secondary market trading (especially globally) and collector potential for rare years. A bar has a lower premium but is harder to verify for authenticity without an assay certificate - a coin, thanks to mint specifications (diameter, thickness, weight, edge), is easier to identify visually.

What does face value and legal tender status mean?

Legal tender means the coin is official means of payment in the issuing country - in the case of 1 oz Lunar III Year of the Horse Platinum Coin 2026 it is 100 Australian Dollars (AUD) in Australia. In investment practice no one uses bullion coins to settle purchases (their bullion value is many times higher than face value), but this status is legally important: the coin is protected by mint law, counterfeiting is criminally prosecuted, and in some jurisdictions tax laws treat bullion coins differently from bars.

Why is investment platinum 999.5 fineness and not 999.9 like gold or silver?

The LPPM Good Delivery standard for investment platinum (Pt 1 grade) sets the minimum fineness at 999.5/1000 (i.e. 99.95% pure metal). This results from platinum's metallurgical specifics - achieving higher fineness while maintaining the plasticity required for minting coins is costly and not justified from an investment standpoint. All major platinum coins worldwide (Maple Leaf, American Eagle, Philharmonic, Kangaroo) have 999.5 fineness.

Is investment platinum subject to VAT?

Yes. Unlike investment gold (VAT-exempt under Council Directive 98/80/EC), investment platinum is subject to standard VAT throughout the European Union - typically 23% in Poland and 19% in Germany. The Council Directive 98/80/EC exemption applies exclusively to gold; platinum and silver coins and bars are subject to the full VAT rate. For certain imports or under specific dealer schemes, the German differential taxation under § 25a UStG may apply, taxing only the dealer margin.

Can I sell the coin back to GoldInvest24?

Yes. GoldInvest24 operates a buyback of platinum bullion coins at prices linked to the current London Platinum Fix (LPPM, twice daily). The buyback price is influenced by fineness, weight, condition of the coin (scratches, edge marks), completeness of packaging (capsule, mint tube, blister), as well as the current market spread. Coins in pristine condition with original packaging achieve the highest resale prices.

Order 1 oz Lunar III Year of the Horse Platinum Coin 2026 online with delivery in 1-3 business days - discreet packaging, insured courier shipment, personal collection possible by prior arrangement. GoldInvest24 is an authorised dealer of platinum bullion coins issued by state mints, including The Perth Mint. The price on the website is updated in line with the current London Platinum Fix.