Perth Mint: Lunar III – Year of the Horse 1 oz Gold Bar (2026)
Perth Mint: Lunar III Bar – Year of the Horse 1 Ounce Gold 2026 is a bullion bar issued by The Perth Mint from a series inspired by the Chinese zodiac, containing 1 troy ounce of fine gold of Au 999.9 purity. The minimum gross weight is 31.107 g, and the bar’s dimensions are approximately 41.60 x 24.60 mm with a standard thickness of 2.80 mm. The maximum mintage is set at 30,000 pieces. The bar holds official status as a mint product accredited on the LBMA market.
Reverse of the bar features an image of a galloping horse, the symbol of the seventh animal of the Chinese zodiac, corresponding, among others, to the years 2026, 2014, 2002 and earlier every 12 years. Beneath the depiction of the animal are the inscription “HORSE” and the Chinese character for horse, clearly identifying the theme of the issue. The background is filled with a fine, repeating wavy pattern, stylistically referencing the other bars in the Lunar series. The reverse design was developed by The Perth Mint’s team of designers, including Natasha Muhl, Ing Ing Jong, Jennifer McKenna, Sean Rogers and Lucas Bowers.
Obverse is adorned with the round The Perth Mint logo featuring a stylized swan and the legend “THE PERTH MINT AUSTRALIA” around it. Below is a rectangular field with a raised inscription “99.99% PURE GOLD 1 OUNCE,” specifying the fineness of the metal and the nominal gold content. The whole is set within a frame with rounded corners, and the background is covered with a repeating micro-wave pattern that also serves as an anti-counterfeiting security feature.
The bar is delivered in a secured, red tamper-evident card, decorated with a motif of blossoming plum branches, traditionally associated with prosperity and resilience. The packaging serves both as a protective case and a decorative element, allowing safe display of the bar. If the blister is tampered with, the card reveals the word “VOID” along the edges, making it possible to determine any attempt at opening. The reverse of the card lists the product’s technical specifications and the designer’s details, and the piece itself has been officially examined and certified by The Perth Mint.