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 Lunar Series issued by the Perth Mint's Lunar Series, and marks the Chinese 2007 Year of the Pig (18 February 2007 - 6 February 2008).
This coin is a "numismatic issue" with a reverse design different from the bullion coins of the series.
The mint says about it:
The final animal in the Chinese zodiac, the pig is traditionally associated with luck, prosperity and wealth. Those ruled by the Chinese lunar pig are said to be honest, loyal, sincere, calm and generous. Birth dates include 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, and 2007. |
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