Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I joined GIM just shy of 4 years ago. At the time there were several of us, all but me gone now (well one shows on occasion), who were fanatic proponents of the Australian Lunar Series. At the time I discovered them, in 2005, Lunars had a pretty high premium relative to spot and could be had for in the $12-$14 range. At the time there were several GIM members (some still active) who steadfastly ridiculed our backing of the series stating that Lunars were bullion and not worth a cent more than spot. The same scenario later played itself out with Kookaburras, which used to be the poor cousin of the Lunars, selling for several dollars less per coin. Try to find them now.

I just looked on Apmex and they don't have any of either series. If you go to ebay and check completed listings, Lunars are selling for in the mid $30's to high $50's with the snakes commonly in the $60 and the dragons reaching into the $70's. In other words, you would have beat the DOW (hah), gold, silver, oil, everything if you had invested in Lunars in 2005-06.

We stand vindicated, but it's to the sound of one hand clapping. There doesn't seem to be anyone left on GIM who gives a rats ass (or at least enough to post about them) about the Lunars and Kooks.

Actually it would be nice if the still active GIM members who steadfastly contended that Lunars were worth spot and nothing more would notice this post and admit that they were wrong.

A couple of years back I posted pictures of the whole series. Maybe I should do that again.

BTW: Don't be too surprised if the Lunar 2 series appreciates a similar amount.

PS: I'm not a "shill" in that I'm not paid by anyone, but I'm willing to be.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...6Lunarcopy.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...2001Snake3.jpg

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I am so glad I bought these. I have a bunch of the one ounce silver sets and they are very nice. I have a few two ounce sets and they are really sweet. I don't think I could ever sell the two ounce sets that I have. The gold ounce set is incredible though. It's my favorite. Thanks again Tom. I wouldn't own these beauties if it wasn't for your great pictures.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I was also collecting them back in 2004, and still am, just not as a GIM member at the time but a dedicated lurker. I now own several 1 ounce and 2 ounce series in Ag but my favorite may very well be the 1/4 ounce Au series 1....now there is a tough one to find now.

I have some full rolls of dragons and snakes that I picked up at original mint release price, just because I loved the design, probably my best PM purchase to date.

They are truly my favs in bullion along with the Roos and Kooks. Maybe I was meant to be an Aussie :emotions16:

Tom, thanks for all the great lunar pics over the years...I am sure you have inspired more than a couple of impulse purchases :elefant:

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I dont post much but I love the silver lunars. I've given my niece and nephew the current coins every year as Christmas and birthday gifts. This past Christmas we pulled out their collection and talked about them some. My sister was shocked to hear just how much they are worth on ebay now. I could not be happier that I chose silver Lunars as the coins they stash away. I look forward to seeing how they appreciate in the future.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

Lunars!!!!


Bah! Humbug!!




:wink:

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I don't post here that much anymore, mainly because I sold off all my silver and gold when gold spiked past $1K the second time. That was my exit strategy, and I stuck to it(I bought in in the $700 spot prices though, so was very happy with the return)

Anyways, the Lunar series was ALWAYS my favorite coins. I had a few of the silver ones, but mainly picked up the gold ones. I never had a gold dragon, but was able to get some of the silver 2 oounce dragons back when they were selling for around $40 each. The prices on EBAY are simply crazy for these coins now.

Anyways, just to show off some beautiful lunars(and others):
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...r/DSCN2088.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...r/DSCN2091.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ther/Gold6.jpg

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

Only got into lunars late last year. Always been a Kook man but I got blown away by the Tigers.
Instead of stacking any 2010 Kooks this year, I went all in with the Tigers.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I only started collecting lunars in '08. Love them. Finally completed a 2 oz set last month.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I'm all about the Dragons. :36_3_16:

Have a few Tigers too...

My 10oz 2000 Dragon is my pride and joy as far as rounds go.
:bear_thumb:

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

Great thread Tom, there are more "believers" out here than you thought! I bought a one and two ounce set from Discountsilver in Texas when she was still in business.

My only regret is that I didn't buy at least a couple of each. I can't believe how much more I like the two ounce set.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I would like to know how to order the box for the Lunar II series...one for silver and one for gold (1 OZ.) I can't seem to find any....hope one of you guys know. Thanks!!!!!!!!:coolbeer:

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

You can get them from the Perth Mint. They show it as for the gilded set, but the regular silver fits also. Don't know about a gold box. Too rich for my blood, but I would think they have them as well.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

When my Son was born I bought him a few for the year he was born and have slowly been putting together a set so far I have in silver 2 1/2 oz one with a coloured pic a 1 oz and a 2 oz, in gold I have 1/20,1/4,1/2 and 1oz.
When he is 18 I might give them to him.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

You left out the main factor why I and others contend that these are worth spot (just like all bullion coins).

That factor is: When the SHTF.

All silver bullion will be silver bullion All gold bullion will be gold bullion.

An ounce of either will be an once, as will all fractionals will be.

The only thing that will matter in that day is the actual PM content in each bullion coin/bar.

When that day comes, and what I've shared does not come true then on that day only will I admit I was wrong.

Only time will tell.

:smile:

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

There's one problem with them Tom. They're too damn pretty. It's like having a girlfriend with a perfect body ... but she won't put out because she might get pregnant and ruin her figure. You can talk about their value all you want, but it's irrelevant because we both know you're too in love with them to sell. It's like having a muscle car fully restored and making it a trailer queen, too afraid to drive it in case you might scratch the paint. I'll stick to old sovereigns and their like. Something you don't mind carrying in your pocket. So it get's scratched and dinged ... who cares. It's been riding in pockets for 100 years already. Take it out and use it to decide what you're having for lunch today ... Heads Chinese .. tails Mexican. Now you've got people's attention.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I started too late for the series I lunars. They just seem too expensive at today's prices.

I'm working on assembling sets of the series II silver lunars. Premiums are creeping up for the 2008 issues, so it is tough to find bargains. If I can afford it, I'll be buying each year as they are issued.

As always, your pictures are appreciated TomD.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

Looking at it only through that narrow prism, I concede your point. But look at it this way: Go back to Jan 2006 and spend $200 on spot price silver bullion or on Lunar Dragons. You could have bought about 21.5 oz of bullion at spot + $.30, a common markup at the time, or 14 dragons (I was buying lunars for $14 at the time) with some change left over. If you had bought the dragons, you could sell them for about $980 and then trade that for right at 50 oz of silver rounds. You would have more than doubled your silver. :23_31_2:

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

Not if I bought it at $2.50/ozt.

:smile:

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

TomD:
Thanx for keeping us less-informed folks up to speed on the Perth Mint releases, the quality of these coins is SECOND-TO-NONE. The design can be less than superb at times however, including the Loch Ness Monster on the reverse.

Also thanx for your grade assessments on the thread I started a couple weeks ago (2010: Year of the Lame Coin Design?"). I reassessed my opinion on the 2010 Koalas thanx to you and picked up a nice little stack of them, they are darn pretty and shiny.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

Well, I am from Europe, and maybe my continent longer history tells me that SHTF scenaries are very unlikely. When I started buying PM coins in 2007, I begun with bullion, but I switched immediately to numismatics.
I stick mainly with one kilo silver coins, and I bought the full Diamond Eyes Lunar Series, and now I am collecting the Gemstone Eyes Lunar Series.
I am very happy with them, and I appreciate the increasing content of up-to-date technologies embedded in the coins.

My personal opinion is that this new kind of NCLT has a lot of "bad" coins (as long-term investment), and the best of them will emerge soon, bringing with them a substantial numismatic premium.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

the mintages of the gold 2 oz series 1 lunars are super low.
i am surprised the premiums on the 2 oz coins arent crazy.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

You just get to a price level where there aren't enough buyers with the money. It's one thing for a 1 oz silver dragon to sell for 3-1/2 times spot because most everyone has $70. Take 2 oz of gold and kick in a very high premium and all of a sudden your group of potential buyers is small.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I only have a bunch of the Series 2 tigers. We'll see how that goes I guess.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I joined GIM in June of 2006. I am one of those who decided to buy Lunars based on Tom's pictures. My first Lunar I bought in June 2006, and I bought a one ounce and a two ounce set from Jennifer in Jan 2007. I bought a lot of lunar coins to give away as presents due to their novelty and beauty.

I can't believe they have appreciated like they have. My only lament now is that I did not buy more as investment coins. What I bought was for the enjoyment of having beautiful coins.

I even convinced my then 16 year old son (a snake) to buy one of each of the available Silver Lunar Snake coins in June 2006. He bought a 10, a 2, a 1, and a 1/2. However, I had to guarantee him that if he lost money on them when he went to sell them that I would make up the loss. Now he likes them so much he won't sell them even though they have almost tripled in value.

Thanks Tom.

However, I have not pursued the Series 2 as vigorously. They just don't have the same appeal to me as the series 1.

Tom, as an aside, You almost got a free 2006 20th Anniversary 3 coin silver set from me. I had purchased 2 sets, then liked them so much I bought 2 more, then decided I would buy 4 more since I have 6 kids, so each could have a set and I could still have two. I put my order in apparently a little too late because they canceled my last 4 set order about 2 months after I had ordered it. But about that time you were saying you wished you had ordered one and then it was too late, so I had decided that I would give you one of the 4 sets when they came in, but alas, the Mint canceled my order, so therefore canceled your free set. Anyway, you came really close. :smile:

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

j-son, I bought a 2 oz gold dragon in Feb 08 when gold spot was $920 and paid $2075, so I paid a $235 premium. Now that coin is selling for roughly $3300 with spot at 1145. So the premium is now about $1000. Of course this is the Dragon which seems to be the preferred coin of the series. I doubt if the other coins in the 2 oz series have enjoyed as much of a % bump.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

first of all, thanks for the pics. they are pretty.

it seems like there is a coating on the silver ones, or is that just a matte finish ?

as far as the Big Debate about generic silver vs. SAE's/Maples vs. Art Silver in the post-TSHTF situation ...

a big part of that situation is that you have a whole new crowd waking up to silver & the devaluation of the dollar, the potential worthlessness of paper currencies, etc.

so then the question is - what does this "general public" like ? what will guide them when they buy ?

among other things, fear - fear they're buying a clunker. also, the mere fact that shiny, pretty silver like the SAE's and the Maples are shiny & pretty - and that people like shiny, pretty stuff.

now, obviously, soon enough this group will contemplate selling silver that they have purchased. they will learn what dealers pay, etc.

anyway, in contemplating this much larger group of people - that's why i think it's important to maintain PM's in BU condition.

also, in a TSHTF situation, probably, people will be paying MORE for their PM's. e.g. $25 - $50 - however it turns out.

you think if someone pays bucks like that for a piece of metal that they'll settle for something not so pretty ?

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

seems like the only two on ebay were dragons and youre right, they did sell for $3300 avg.
after ebay/paypal fees $3300 becomes $3120 which is a $415 premium per ounce....not bad...i wonder if they others would have this premium.

maybe i should list some to check it out.

there is a 2 oz dog coin on ebay now for $3163 shipped...no bidders and he's had it on ebay for months.
after fees that becomes $2954 which is a $332 premium per ounce...but no bidders.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

That would have flat blown me away. Appreciate the thought.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I have always enjoyed the lunars. I like to get the non-1ozt coins just for fun. I can't afford anything in gold except for some 1/10s but the silver stuff is fun to get different sizes. I don't care if their premium soars because I'm not selling these beauties. I also like the kooks and koalas but the lunars are the best. I have yet to even try to work up a complete set. I just enjoy what I have and trying to find really nice looking ones for a bargain. So far, my favorite is my 5ozt Tiger series 2. I will be procuring a 10ozt version next.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

Definitely a lunar fan! It's what actually got me into PMs. I was looking for a birthday present for a friend, and came across the silver coin lunar that was his brith year. Looked awesome, was cheap, so bought one. Since there was a minimum purchase amount, I went ahead and bought my year for me. Then I was hooked. Second PM purchase, and first gold purchase? Yep, the 1 oz gold dragon. It was so goodlooking, i paid a good premium for it (when gold was in 600s). Yep, crazy I know. But I did not see that coin getting any cheaper...and it was even more expensive other places. At least now it's under spot haha.

Three years in the making, and yep...still not finished...almost a complete 1oz set...just missing the elusive ox. :favorites21: So if anyones looking to sell hahaha.

Thanks for posting Tom...a great series.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

lots of sentimental value for me. the inlaws started much earlier. these are great looking coins and keepsakes! thank you Tom for the beautiful pics too.

:36_1_32v:

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I also got sucked in to this by TOM D's pics and had to have all of them. I also fell in love with the dragons and have some of all of them . I have a lot of silver from all over the place but these are the nices pieces. Tom you started a following even though you dont know it. Today a guy I work with ( I made him buy some Dragons ) was shocked that the dragons doubled in price in 6 months. I would like to thank you for all you have done here..

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I guess I'm going to have to back off on my assertion that nobody on GIM gives a rats ass about Lunars any more.

There are a number of reasons to accumulate PMs, none of them are "The Correct" reason and all the others false. Some peoples prime reason, typified by twenty4karet, is as another form of prep for a THSTF situation. More people have them as a money making tool, others as a permanent form of wealth storage. And then there are those who accumulate because it is just so desirable and beautiful. When, two years after my first green monster box, I got my first delivery of Lunars, I fell firmly in the latter camp.

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

LUNARS!!!


BAH! HUMBUG!!!



As one of the first two voices to talk about these Lunars (see Tom's first post - the other was FLRacingirl - then later, J-son and TomD) I thought my first post would have gotten Tom to post a golden dragon!!!!! **lol**

Great thread........bottomline - some follow the words of others.........some think for themselves..........my dragons have doubled since I bought them, I didn't care if it took year or two for others to catch on.......and the scars from the seething attacks are healing nicely! *lol*

Tho today I bought a friend a gold snake for only $125 over spot.........

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

Uhhh- a little slow sometimes---

I f you're still reading the thread, the background is a very soft matted, more like frosted. You need to get one, check it out.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/...1672a38028.jpg

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

I have enjoyed the silver lunars. I collected the first set, but not the second set. I figure the coins would not be as beautiful as the first series. Like a sequel of a movie.

I began collecting the Koala series. So far so good.

THe Great Ag

Re: Australian Lunars-Vindication to the sounds of silence
 

OK - SO THEY AREN'T AS BAD AS I REMEMBERED!

:haha:

THANKS!!!