The Australian one-ounce gold piece (abbreviated as 1 oz and designated with Au for "gold") is a bullion coin format. Uniquely, in Australia there are two mints authorised to strike legal tender: the Royal Australian Mint (which also makes the country's circulating coinage) and the Perth Mint which only makes collector and bullion coins, as well as other bullion products.
The Lunar Series series was introduced in 1996 by the Perth Mint (the Royal Australian Mint started a parallel series later) and is dedicated to the Chinese Lunar Calendar and the Chinese Zodiac. Known as Sheng Xiao or Shu Xiang, it features twelve animal signs in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Boasting a history of more than 2,000 years, it plays an essential role in Chinese culture. The animals zodiac in a cycle are not only used to represent years in China, but also believed to influence people’s personalities, career, compatibility, marriage, and fortune.
This coin is part of the first release in the Lunar Series issued by the Perth Mint, and marks the Chinese 1996 Year of the Mouse, also known as the Year of the Rat (19 February 1996 - 6 February 1997).
The mint says about it:
According to Chinese mythology, the order of the animals in the ancient zodiac calendar was decided with a great race across a river, in which the mouse came first. Races aren’t the only thing mice win. Those born in the Year of the Mouse are said to possess enterprising spirits and a willingness to work hard to achieve their goals. They are smart, adaptable and curious by nature. No wonder they lead the zodiac pack.
Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020. |
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