🇦🇺 Lunar III Horse 2026 – 1/2 oz Gold Coin – Australia’s Zodiac Symbol in Perfect Elegance
The Lunar III Horse 2026 – 1/2 oz Gold Coin unites artistry, symbolism, and grace in a masterpiece of Australian minting. Issued by the Perth Mint, it celebrates the Year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac — a sign representing freedom, strength, and vitality. The third Lunar Series, which began in 2020, continues a long tradition of craftsmanship and cultural storytelling, portraying each Zodiac animal with refined precision and timeless beauty.
The obverse features the effigy of King Charles III, created by British artist Dan Thorne. Encircling the portrait are the inscriptions “CHARLES III • AUSTRALIA • 50 DOLLARS.” The engraving reveals balance, serenity, and regal dignity, its subtle detail symbolising both continuity and confidence. The minimalist design allows the portrait to radiate quietly, capturing the harmony between tradition and contemporary refinement.
The reverse presents the horse in motion, a moment filled with strength and natural beauty. The animal strides purposefully across rocky terrain, its mane lifted by the wind, its body poised in perfect balance between energy and composure. Behind it flow stylised clouds and bamboo — symbols of progress, growth, and inner peace. The inscriptions “YEAR OF THE HORSE 2026” and the Chinese character “馬” accompany the image, while the “P” mintmark discreetly acknowledges the Perth Mint’s hallmark of excellence.
The finely sculpted relief lends depth and vitality to the composition. Light and shadow move gracefully across the surface, animating the scene and giving the horse a lifelike presence. Every line of the engraving highlights the fusion of motion and balance, expressing the dual nature of the horse — both dynamic and serene. Polished and matte contrasts enhance the visual harmony, transforming the coin into a living image of movement and stillness.
Struck from 99.99 percent fine gold, the coin radiates a warm, natural brilliance that accentuates its craftsmanship. Each strike is produced with meticulous care, ensuring absolute clarity and precision. The Lunar III Horse 2026 – 1/2 oz Gold Coin thus represents not only intrinsic value but also cultural meaning and aesthetic depth, reflecting the finest traditions of Australian minting art.
In the Chinese Zodiac, the horse symbolises ambition, passion, and drive — qualities that inspire progress and freedom. This essence is captured perfectly in gold, as the design becomes a mirror of movement, vitality, and inner balance. The horse’s elegance and confidence embody a universal spirit of endurance and grace.
The Lunar III Horse 2026 – 1/2 oz Gold Coin stands as a golden tribute to artistry and tradition, merging Australian precision with Chinese heritage. It is a creation of enduring elegance and meaning — a radiant symbol of freedom, harmony, and timeless beauty, destined to inspire for generations.
| Metal | Gold |
| Form | Gold Coin |
| Country of Origin | Australia |
| Issuer | Perth Mint |
| Series | Lunar III |
| Purity | 999.9/1000 |
| Fineweight | 15.55 gram |
| Gross Weight | 15.55 gram |
| Denomination (oz) | 1/2 oz |
| Year of issue | 2026 |
| Grade | Brilliant |
| Condition | Uncirculated |
| Face value | 50 AUD |
| Thickness | 2.50 mm |
| Diameter | 25.60 mm |
| Packaging | in Capsule |
| Packaging Unit | 20 per roll |
| Large Packaging 2 | 100 per box |