2023 Australian Lunar Series III Year of the Rabbit 1oz Gold Proof NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
£5,495.00
The 2023 Australian Lunar Series III Year of the Rabbit 1oz Gold Proof combines one full troy ounce of 99.99% pure gold with one of The Perth Mint’s established Lunar collector designs.
Officially limited to a Maximum Mintage of just 2,500 coins worldwide, the reverse depicts a leaping rabbit among grasses with feathery plumes, accompanied by the Chinese character for rabbit, the inscription RABBIT 2023 and The Perth Mint’s P mintmark.
This particular example has been independently certified NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo – the highest numerical Proof grade – with an NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo population of just 5 and none graded higher at the time of checking, placing it at Top Pop.
1 in stock
Description
2023 Year of the Rabbit 1oz Gold Proof NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
The 2023 Year of the Rabbit 1oz Gold Proof forms part of Australian Lunar Series III, the third generation of The Perth Mint’s internationally recognised Australian Lunar coin programme.
The Perth Mint established its Australian Lunar programme in 1996, basing each annual release on one of the 12 animals associated with the Chinese zodiac. The success and longevity of the programme ultimately led to the current Series III collection.
For 2023, the programme celebrates the:
Year of the Rabbit
The coin is struck from 99.99% pure gold, contains exactly 1 troy ounce of gold, carries an Australian denomination of $100 and was produced to Proof quality.
Most importantly, The Perth Mint specifies a:
Maximum Mintage: 2,500
for this exact 1oz Gold Proof issue.
This particular example has subsequently been independently authenticated and certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) as:
PF70 ULTRA CAMEO
At the time of checking on 30 August 2026, the NGC certification evidence supplied for this issue records:
NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo Population: 5
Higher Grades: 0
NGC Top Pop
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Why This Coin Stands Out
- Official Maximum Mintage of 2,500
- 1 troy ounce of pure gold
- 99.99% / .9999 fine gold
- Struck to Proof quality
- Part of Australian Lunar Series III
- Celebrates the 2023 Year of the Rabbit
- Reverse designed by Ing Ing Jong
- Leaping rabbit design
- Chinese character for rabbit
- The Perth Mint P mintmark
- Australian $100 legal tender
- Queen Elizabeth II obverse by Jody Clark
- Certified NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
- Highest numerical Proof grade
- NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo population of just 5
- 0 graded higher
- NGC Top Pop
The combination of an official 2,500-coin Maximum Mintage and an NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo population of only 5 gives this particular example two separate measures of scarcity: the size of the original issue and the number currently certified by NGC at the highest numerical Proof grade.
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Specifications
Year: 2023
Country of Issue: Australia
Issuer: The Perth Mint
Series: Australian Lunar Series III
Theme: Year of the Rabbit
Denomination: AUD $100
Metal: Gold
Fineness: 99.99% / .9999 Fine Gold
Pure Gold Content: 1.000 Troy Ounce
Minimum Gross Weight: 31.107g
Maximum Diameter: 32.60mm
Maximum Thickness: 2.95mm
Quality: Proof
Maximum Mintage: 2,500
Reverse: Year of the Rabbit
Reverse Designer: Ing Ing Jong
Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II
Obverse Designer: Jody Clark
Legal Tender: Australia
Grading Company: NGC
Grade: PF70 Ultra Cameo
NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo Population: 5
Higher Grades: 0
NGC Status: Top Pop
Population Checked: 30 August 2026
These specifications – including the 2,500 Maximum Mintage, 1oz gold content, 99.99% purity, 31.107g minimum gross weight, 32.60mm maximum diameter, 2.95mm maximum thickness and Proof finish – are stated by The Perth Mint for this exact issue.
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Maximum Mintage of Just 2,500 Coins
One of the principal characteristics of the 2023 Year of the Rabbit 1oz Gold Proof is its clearly defined production limit.
The Perth Mint officially states:
Maximum Mintage: 2,500
for this exact 1oz Gold Proof coin.
This figure is particularly important because it distinguishes the Proof coin from the separate 1oz bullion version.
The corresponding 2023 Year of the Rabbit 1oz Gold Bullion Coin had a substantially larger Maximum Mintage of 30,000, whereas the Proof offered here was limited to a maximum of 2,500.
For the certified example offered here:
Official Maximum Mintage: 2,500
NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo Population: 5
These figures measure different things.
The 2,500 figure is The Perth Mint’s maximum production ceiling for the original coin.
The 5 figure records the NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo population at the time of checking.
The NGC population can change as additional coins are submitted and certified, which is why the date of checking is stated.
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Australian Lunar Series III
The coin forms part of Australian Lunar Series III, one of The Perth Mint’s established collector programmes.
The concept follows the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, in which each year is associated with one of 12 animals.
The Perth Mint established its first Australian Lunar coin programme in 1996 and describes itself as the first mint to release an Australian lunar coin programme. Following the success of the earlier collections, the programme is now in its third 12-year series.
The Year of the Rabbit follows the Mouse, Ox and Tiger within Series III.
According to the traditional lunar interpretation described by The Perth Mint, people born under the sign of the rabbit are associated with qualities including intelligence, creativity, vigilance and compassion.
The 2023 issue therefore combines a precious-metal Proof coin with a theme rooted in a centuries-old cultural tradition.
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Ing Ing Jong’s Year of the Rabbit Design
The reverse was created by Perth Mint designer Ing Ing Jong.
The design portrays an energetic:
rabbit leaping among grasses with feathery plumes.
Also incorporated into the design are:
the Chinese character for “rabbit”
RABBIT 2023
and:
The Perth Mint’s P mintmark.
The composition captures the rabbit in motion, providing the 2023 gold issue with a distinct visual identity within Australian Lunar Series III.
The design is particularly appropriate to the characteristics traditionally associated with the rabbit, including alertness and energy.
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Queen Elizabeth II on the 2023 Coin
One particularly interesting characteristic of this issue is its obverse.
Although the coin is dated 2023, it features:
Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
rather than King Charles III.
This is correct for the issue.
The Perth Mint’s official specification explicitly identifies the effigy as:
Jody Clark design of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II.
The obverse also identifies the coin as:
AUSTRALIA
and carries its:
100 DOLLARS
monetary denomination.
This places the coin within the final period of Australian precious-metal issues carrying the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and gives the 2023 date an additional historical context.
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One Troy Ounce of 99.99% Pure Gold
Each 2023 Year of the Rabbit Gold Proof contains:
1.000 Troy Ounce of Pure Gold
and is struck from:
99.99% / .9999 Fine Gold
The Perth Mint specifies:
Minimum Gross Weight: 31.107g
Maximum Diameter: 32.60mm
Maximum Thickness: 2.95mm.
The coin also carries an official Australian monetary denomination of:
AUD $100
and is recognised as:
Australian legal tender.
Its underlying one-ounce gold content is therefore combined with Proof manufacture, a limited maximum mintage and a specific annual Lunar design.
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Proof Quality
This particular Year of the Rabbit is a Proof coin, rather than the separate bullion issue produced for the same year.
Proof coins are specially produced for the collector market, traditionally displaying highly reflective fields and contrasting frosted design elements.
That distinction is particularly relevant to this example because NGC has awarded it the:
Ultra Cameo
designation.
NGC explains that Ultra Cameo applies only to Proof coins and describes examples where the fields are deeply mirrored and the devices heavily frosted, producing bold contrast on both sides.
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NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
This particular example has been independently authenticated, encapsulated and graded by NGC as:
PF70 ULTRA CAMEO
NGC grades qualifying coins using the internationally recognised numerical scale extending to 70.
A grade of 70 represents the highest numerical grade available.
NGC states that a coin receiving grade 70 must have no post-production imperfections visible at 5× magnification.
The Ultra Cameo designation further describes the visual contrast of the Proof surfaces.
NGC defines Ultra Cameo as:
deeply mirrored fields combined with heavily frosted devices, producing bold contrast on both sides of the coin.
This particular example therefore combines:
NGC’s highest numerical Proof grade
with:
NGC’s Ultra Cameo designation
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NGC Population – Just 5 in PF70 Ultra Cameo
At the time of checking on 30 August 2026, the NGC certification evidence supplied for this exact issue records:
NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo Population: 5
Higher Grades: 0
NGC Top Pop
This means the example offered here sits at the highest numerical grade represented by NGC for this certification category at the time of checking.
For clarity:
The Perth Mint Maximum Mintage: 2,500
NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo Population: 5
Higher Grades: 0
Status: Top Pop
The original mintage and certified population should not be confused.
The 2,500 figure represents The Perth Mint’s maximum production ceiling for the issue.
The 5 figure represents the number displayed by NGC at PF70 Ultra Cameo when the population was checked.
NGC population figures can change as further coins are submitted and certified.
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Maximum Mintage 2,500 – PF70 Population 5
This particular coin brings together:
2023 Australian Lunar Series III
Year of the Rabbit
Official Maximum Mintage of 2,500
1 troy ounce of 99.99% pure gold
Proof quality
Ing Ing Jong reverse
Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark
NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
PF70 Ultra Cameo population of just 5
0 graded higher
NGC Top Pop
These characteristics give the coin several distinct areas of collector interest rather than relying solely on its precious-metal content.
The combination of an official Maximum Mintage of 2,500 and an NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo population of only 5 is particularly noteworthy for collectors seeking top-grade examples from The Perth Mint’s Australian Lunar Series III.
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Image Information
The slab images shown may include digitally produced representations for presentation purposes, with certification numbers and barcodes omitted.
Where detailed close-up photographs of the actual coin are shown, these provide a closer view of the genuine coin offered for sale.
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Why Buy from Sterling Bullion Partners?
Every certified coin offered by Sterling Bullion Partners is carefully selected for its quality, authenticity and collector appeal.
When purchasing from Sterling Bullion Partners, you benefit from:
- Carefully selected certified coins
- Independently authenticated and professionally graded examples
- Detailed grading and population information
- Fully insured UK delivery
- Secure protective packaging
- Experienced customer support
- A UK precious-metals dealer committed to accuracy and transparency
With its 2,500 Maximum Mintage, one-ounce .9999 fine-gold content and NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo population of just 5, the 2023 Year of the Rabbit represents a particularly strong certified example from Australian Lunar Series III.
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