For gold and silver investors watching the markets closely, August 2025 delivered a fresh set of clues about where precious metals may be headed. The latest Perth Mint bullion sales data—one of the industry’s most closely watched barometers—reveals a surprising divergence: gold demand surged sharply, while silver sales continued to retreat.
This mixed performance comes at a time when both metals have been climbing in price and when global investors are searching for safe havens in an uncertain macroeconomic climate. Whether you’re a seasoned bullion buyer or a newer investor evaluating entry points, understanding the Mint’s monthly figures provides valuable insight into global sentiment, supply trends, and potential market direction.
TL;DR (Quick Summary)
- Gold sales at the Perth Mint jumped 37.6% in August 2025, beating both July and August 2024 levels.
- Silver sales fell 6% from July and dropped 34.4% year over year, marking the fourth straight month of declines.
- Gold is outperforming silver year-to-date, up 10.2% vs. 2024, while silver remains 32.7% behind the prior year.
- LBMA prices rose in August: gold +3.9% to $3,429.15/oz and silver +7.1% to $38.80/oz.
- New releases—especially the Lunar Series III Year of the Snake—are driving pre-order strength in gold.
- Silver investors appear more cautious despite strong spot price performance.
Why the Perth Mint Matters to Investors
As one of the world’s largest producers of gold and silver bullion coins, the Perth Mint serves as a global sentiment indicator. It processes approximately 10% of the world’s gold production and accounts for a major share of Australia’s newly mined metal. Its monthly sales data is followed by:
- U.S. gold and silver investors
- Global bullion dealers
- Institutional commodity analysts
- Retail precious metals buyers
- Numismatists and coin industry professionals
When Perth Mint data shifts, it often reflects broader psychological or macroeconomic currents in the precious-metals ecosystem.
Gold Sales Surge: What’s Behind the Strength?
August 2025 Gold Sales Performance
- 30,125 ounces sold, up 37.6% from July
- Up 16.4% year-over-year vs. August 2024
- 241,063 ounces year-to-date, a 10.2% gain over the same period in 2024
This marks one of the strongest monthly performances for gold in more than a year.
Key Driver: Lunar Series Demand
In an interview released by the Mint, Neil Vance, General Manager of Minted Products, highlighted the impact of the highly anticipated Lunar Series launch:
“Strong pre-order momentum from wholesale partners ahead of our Lunar program release demonstrates both the continued appeal of the Australian Lunar series and the market’s confidence in precious metals as we approached the launch.” — Neil Vance, Perth Mint
The Lunar Series III Year of the Snake coins are among the Mint’s most globally recognized collectible-investment products. Each release typically generates:
- Early wholesale pre-orders
- Collector demand surges
- International retail interest—especially from the U.S. and Asia
Market Context: Rising Gold Prices
The LBMA reported gold prices rising 3.9% in August, reaching $3,429.15/oz—a level that reinforces investor conviction that gold remains a strong hedge against:
- geopolitical tensions
- interest rate uncertainty
- currency volatility
- equity market unpredictability
Historically, gold tends to outperform when central bank policy becomes uncertain; with markets watching the Federal Reserve’s stance, investors increased buying.
Silver Sales Decline: Why Is Demand Cooling?
August 2025 Silver Sales Performance
- 424,949 ounces sold, down 6% from July
- Down 34.4% year-over-year
- Fourth consecutive month of declines
- Year-to-date: 4.17 million ounces, down 32.7% from 2024
Despite silver spot prices rising 7.1% to $38.80/oz in August, investor demand cooled.
What’s Driving Silver Weakness?
1. Price Sensitivity
Silver buyers—especially in the retail segment—tend to be more price sensitive than gold buyers. Rising spot prices can discourage:
- smaller retail purchases
- bulk silver stacking
- dealer restocking
2. Demand Correction After Strong 2023–2024 Sales
The Mint reported extremely strong silver sales in 2023 and early 2024, including multiple months over the 1 million-ounce mark. Silver is now undergoing a natural normalization phase.
3. Shifting Investor Sentiment
While silver is often viewed as “gold’s more volatile cousin,” some investors may be waiting for more attractive pullbacks before re-entering.
The paradox?
Silver prices rose strongly in August despite falling retail demand—suggesting that institutional and industrial demand may be absorbing supply even as bullion purchases cool.
Comparing Gold vs. Silver Demand (August 2025)
| Metric | Gold | Silver |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Change (MoM) | +37.6% | –6% |
| Year-over-Year (YoY) | +16.4% | –34.4% |
| Year-to-Date (YTD) | +10.2% | –32.7% |
| Price Change (August) | +3.9% | +7.1% |
| Investor Sentiment | Strengthening | Cooling |
Gold’s resilience stands in sharp contrast to weakening silver demand—despite silver’s stronger price performance.
The Role of New Bullion Releases
The Perth Mint is known for limited-mintage, highly collectible bullion series. In 2025 alone, dozens of new releases have attracted global attention, including:
Major 2025 Highlights
- Australian Brumby 1oz Silver (August release)
- Lunar Series III 10 kg Silver Year of the Snake (July)
- Dragon Rectangular Gold & Silver Coins (June)
- 225th Anniversary Proclamation Dollar Coins (May)
- Australian Emu Gold & Silver (May)
- Australian Swan Gold & Silver (April)
Collector-driven demand tends to be stronger for gold than silver, especially when series are:
- low-mintage
- historically appreciated
- sought after by U.S. and Asian collectors
- tied to major annual releases
This helps explain why gold demand has surged more than silver in 2025.
Historical & Macro Context: Why This Data Matters Now
Precious metals are influenced by global macroeconomic forces more than any other commodity class. The August data reflect several broader trends:
1. Interest Rate Expectations
Investors are pricing in potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, which historically boost gold and silver demand.
2. Geopolitical Tensions
Ongoing global uncertainties—from trade tensions to naval conflicts—support safe-haven flows.
3. Currency Movements
As the U.S. dollar weakens or fluctuates, gold tends to strengthen, boosting global bullion buying.
4. Industrial Demand for Silver
Although bullion buying is down, industrial silver demand—in solar, electric vehicles, and electronics—remains historically strong.
5. Collector Demand Cycles
High-profile series like the Lunar Series follow predictable boom periods when new coins launch.
Expert Insights & Market Perspectives
Precious metals analysts continue to highlight the disconnect between gold and silver investor behavior.
A commodities strategist from a major U.S. brokerage summarized it well:
“Gold investors appear to be positioning for monetary easing, while silver investors are acting more cautiously due to volatility. But long-term fundamentals for both metals remain strong.”
Meanwhile, several bullion dealers have reported declining silver preorder volumes but rising gold inquiries.
What This Means for U.S. Gold & Silver Investors
Bullish Indicators
- Gold’s strong YTD performance (+10.2%)
- Robust Lunar Series pre-orders
- Interest rate cut expectations
- Strong spot price growth for both metals
- Continued global uncertainty
Bearish or Caution Signals
- Silver demand declining for four straight months
- Retail buying slowing despite rising prices
- Supply/demand imbalances across regions
Overall Takeaway
Gold appears to be entering an accumulation phase, while silver investors seem to be waiting for volatility to cool or premiums to normalize.
Investor Strategies Based on Current Data
1. For Gold Investors
Consider accumulating during periods of strong macro support, especially ahead of:
- potential Fed rate cuts
- rising investor inflows
- global market instability
2. For Silver Investors
The weakness in bullion demand—despite rising prices—could signal an opportunity to monitor:
- premium compression
- seasonal buying cycles
- potential dips
Silver remains historically undervalued relative to gold based on gold-silver ratio trends.
3. For Coin Collectors
The 2025 releases—particularly Lunar Series and Emu coins—may present collectible upside due to:
- strong series reputation
- international demand
- low mintages
FAQ Section
1. Why did gold sales rise while silver sales fell?
Gold benefited from strong Lunar Series demand, rising prices, and safe-haven buying. Silver saw retail cooling after several strong years.
2. Is gold or silver a better buy right now?
Gold shows stronger investor momentum. Silver offers long-term value but may face short-term volatility.
3. Does Perth Mint data influence global prices?
While not price-setting, the Mint’s data provides insight into retail and wholesale buying trends globally.
4. Are Lunar Series coins good investments?
Historically, yes. They have strong international demand, limited mintages, and collector appeal.
5. Why is silver demand falling even as prices rise?
Retail buyers often pause during price spikes, while industrial buyers continue absorbing supply.
Conclusion & Call-to-Action
The Perth Mint’s August 2025 bullion sales data paints a telling picture: gold is regaining momentum, while silver’s retail demand is cooling, at least temporarily. For U.S. investors, this divergence highlights the importance of understanding macroeconomic forces, seasonal coin cycles, and bullion market dynamics.
Whether you’re stacking for long-term security, diversifying a portfolio, or collecting iconic designs like the Lunar Series III, staying informed about mint data and global trends will help you make more strategic buying decisions.