The Australian half ounce silver piece (abbreviated as 1/2 oz and designated with Ag for "silver") is a bullion and commemorative coin format; it has face value of either 1 dollar or 50 cents. 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 silver Lunar Series series was introduced in 1999 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 II (second iteration of the Perth Mint's Lunar Series) and marks the Chinese Year of the Dog 2018 (16 February 2014 - 4 February 2019).
The Mint says about it:
In 2018, we celebrate the 11th animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. The birth years for people include 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 and 2018. Those born under this sign are said to be loyal, amiable, kind and friendly. |
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