Singapore's Lunar Series bullion issues occupy an odd niche — produced by a monetary authority with no particular cultural obligation to the Chinese zodiac calendar, yet marketed almost entirely toward Southeast Asian and diaspora collectors for whom the Dragon year carries considerable weight. The 2012 issue landed in a strong bullion market, with silver spot having peaked above $48 the previous April, making the premium over melt a harder sell than in quieter years.
At 155.52 grams, this is a five-troy-ounce piece — a format that invites comparison to the Perth Mint's Lunar series, which had been running since 1996 and effectively set collector expectations for this class of issue.
Singapore's Lunar Series bullion issues occupy an odd niche — produced by a monetary authority with no particular cultural obligation to the Chinese zodiac calendar, yet marketed almost entirely toward Southeast Asian and diaspora collectors for whom the Dragon year carries considerable weight. The 2012 issue landed in a strong bullion market, with silver spot having peaked above $48 the previous April, making the premium over melt a harder sell than in quieter years.
At 155.52 grams, this is a five-troy-ounce piece — a format that invites comparison to the Perth Mint's Lunar series, which had been running since 1996 and effectively set collector expectations for this class of issue.