Fifty Cents 2017 Year of the Rooster, Coin from Australia - detailed information

The Australian 50 cent denomination is a large dodecagonal (12-sided) copper-nickel circulating coin; apart from the usual design featuring the Australian Coat of Arms (by Stuart Devlin) which has not been changed since its introduction, the denomination is also often used to issue circulating commemorative coins with various reverses. It is one of the heaviest coins in regular circulation in the world.

Apart from the circulating coinage, the Royal Australian Mint has an extensive program issuing 50 cent coins for collectors (Non-Circulating Legal Tender, or NCLT). Most of them share the same specifications with the circulating coins. However, some of them are 14-sided (a Tetra-Decagon) and are not compatible with the circulating coinage.

This coin was issued as part of the Lunar Series of coins to mark the 2017 Chinese Year of the Rooster (28 January 2017 - 15 February 2018).

The Mint says:
The Chinese Zodiac, Sheng Xiao, has its basis in a twelve-year cycle. Each year is represented by one of twelve animals with unique personality traits, with these characteristics being passed on to people born in that year. In 2017, the Lunar Year of the Rooster will see the births of many people who are said to be focused on their duties and attentive to fine details while being sensitive to their friends and families.

The Chinese Lunar Calendar also rotates through the elements of earth, fire, water, metal and wood as part of a larger 60 year cycle. The fire roosters born this year will also be deep thinkers who enjoy a life of luxury.

At many Chinese celebrations, holidays and special events, monetary gifts are given to wish hope and prosperity to younger people. These offerings are traditionally given in red envelopes, a colour which both symbolises good luck and wards off evil forces.