1 oz Lunar III Year of the Horse Gold Coin | 2026

The 2026 Australian Lunar Series III 1 oz Year of the Horse Gold Coin, produced by The Perth Mint, is dedicated to the seventh animal of the Chinese zodiac – the Horse. Minted from 99.99% pure gold, this beautiful coin combines the timeless value of precious metals with the rich cultural heritage, traditions and symbolism of the Chinese lunar calendar.

History of the Australian Lunar Series

Founded in Western Australia in 1899, The Perth Mint is one of the world's most renowned precious metal refiners and coin producers. The mint introduced its first Australian Lunar coin series in 1996, and it has since become one of the most recognised coin collections among investors and collectors worldwide.

Inspired by the ancient Chinese lunar calendar, each coin in the 12-year series is dedicated to one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

The third Lunar Series began in 2020 with the Year of the Rat, and the 2026 Year of the Horse coin is the seventh annual release in this series.

Year of the Horse – Symbolism and Traditions

According to Chinese mythology, the order of the twelve zodiac animals was determined by a legendary competition known as the Great Race. The Horse finished seventh, earning its place as an important symbol in the Chinese lunar calendar.

In Chinese tradition, the Horse symbolises freedom, independence, energy, courage, endurance and an adventurous spirit. People born in the Year of the Horse, including those born in 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 and 2026, are traditionally associated with these qualities.

Those born under the Horse zodiac sign are often considered confident, charismatic, passionate and energetic individuals, whose natural enthusiasm and determination to move forward inspire others.

2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese lunar calendar, associated with particularly strong energy, determination, courage and transformation. The Fire element emphasises the Horse's natural independence, ambition and vitality.

The Horse is also regarded as a symbol of success, freedom and progress, making this gold coin both a meaningful gift and a valuable addition to a precious metals collection.

Coin Design

Reverse – Year of the Horse

The reverse of the coin features a powerful and graceful horse, whose dynamic movement expresses energy, freedom and vitality. The intricately detailed design highlights the horse's muscular physique, flowing mane and natural elegance, emphasising the strength and independent spirit of this Chinese zodiac animal.

The design is complemented by natural elements that create a harmonious composition and reflect the respect for nature and animals deeply rooted in Chinese culture.

The coin also features the Chinese character for Horse (馬), the inscription “HORSE 2026” and The Perth Mint's traditional “P” mintmark.

The design was created by Ing Ing Jong, a designer at The Perth Mint. The horse is depicted with raised hooves against a background of mountains and grassland, capturing its strength, grace and freedom of movement.

The image of the Horse symbolises courage, endurance, freedom and continuous progress, making the coin meaningful to both investors and collectors.

Obverse – King Charles III

The obverse of the coin features a portrait of His Majesty King Charles III, designed by renowned coin artist Dan Thorne.

The portrait is surrounded by inscriptions indicating the coin's face value, weight and gold purity.

The portrait of King Charles III marks a new era in Australian coinage, combining the country's royal traditions with contemporary coin design.

Gold Purity and Investment Value

The coin contains 1 oz, equivalent to 31.1035 grams of pure gold, with a purity of 99.99% (fineness 999.9), and is official Australian legal tender with a face value of 100 Australian dollars.

The Perth Mint's internationally recognised minting quality and the enduring popularity of the Lunar Series make this coin attractive to both physical gold investors and collectors who appreciate beautifully designed annual coin releases.

The one-ounce format is one of the world's most popular investment gold weight categories, combining a substantial fine gold content with the coin's cultural and collectible appeal.

The reverse also incorporates a micro-engraved security feature, visible under magnification, which helps verify the coin's authenticity.

The coin has a maximum mintage of 30,000 pieces and is supplied in a protective capsule.

Its intricate design, cultural significance and exceptional gold purity make the 2026 1 oz Year of the Horse Gold Coin a distinctive addition to any investment portfolio or coin collection.