Series I is where the Australian Lunar program began. It ran from the 1996 Year of the Mouse through the 2007 Year of the Pig — the Perth Mint's first complete twelve-animal cycle, and the one struck before the series had the following it has now. That timing is why survivors in top grades are scarce out of proportion to their mintage figures: these coins were bought to be opened and handled, not submitted for grading.
The chronology runs 1996 Mouse, 1997 Ox, 1998 Tiger, 1999 Rabbit, 2000 Dragon, 2001 Snake, 2002 Horse, 2003 Goat, 2004 Monkey, 2005 Rooster, 2006 Dog and 2007 Pig. Gold was struck from the outset in .9999 fine; silver joined the program in 1999.
Mintage structure is the defining feature. Several years sold out at the mint, and the 1 oz gold issues were capped at 30,000 — small enough that completing a Series I gold set in MS 70 is a genuinely difficult undertaking. The population reports show why.
Every coin listed here is a single certified example with its grading service, grade and certification number stated. Colorized issues, where the Perth Mint produced them, are identified in the title.
