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 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. |
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The obverse of the coin shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the face value: ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA · 100 DOLLARS ·.
The effigy, legend and face value are in a small circle, surrounded by a decorative border.
Around the rim outside that circle, a "Lunar Calendar Wheel": the twelve animals of the Lunar Calendar: rat, pig, dog, rooster, monkey, goat, horse, snake, dragon, rabbit, tiger and an ox. |
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