500 Pounds - Elizabeth II Year of the Monkey, Gold Proof

The 2016 Lunar year issue marked the Royal Mint's entry into serious competition with the Perth Mint's long-dominant Lunar series, which had been running since 1996. London's version launched with the Year of the Monkey and targeted collectors who preferred a British issuing authority for their gold holdings.

At 156.295 grams fine gold, the specification corresponds to five troy ounces — a deliberate weight choice that positions it at the top of the Lunar range alongside comparable five-ounce issues from international mints.