Silver Half Ounce 2023 Year of the Rabbit, Coin from Australia - detailed information

The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown and the Victoria Coronation necklace worn for her Coronation. This is her effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait" worldwide and "Sixth Portrait" in Australia, in "uncouped" version - showing the Queen's shoulders and not terminating at the neck as the normal version.

On the left, in small letters on the Queen's shoulder, the artist's initials J.C (for Jody Clark).

Running continuously around the rim is the monarch's legend and the face value: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1/2oz 9999 Ag 50 CENTS.

The inscription around the rim also incorporates the precious metal content. "1/2 oz 9999 Ag" means "one half of a troy ounce of 99.99% silver" - Ag is abbreviated from the Latin word for silver, Argentum.

The reverse of the coin portrays an alert rabbit with its ears erect, and another rabbit stretching towards a budding branch.

Above right, the Chinese character for "rabbit": 兔, below which, RABBIT and 2023.

The mint mark P of the Perth Mint is below right. The designer's initials IJ (for Ing Ing Jong) are at the base of the branch above right.

The face value and the precious metal content are on the obverse.

Silver content (Troy oz): 0.500
Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated).
Packaging: in acrylic capsule.
Perth Mint SKU: 3S2306EAAX
Date of issue: 27 September 2022 (proof), 17 October 2022 (bullion).
Issue price: AU$ 22.40

For additional peace of mind, this 1/2oz coin incorporates an authentication feature in the form of a micro-laser engraved letter. Detectable under a magnifying glass, it is designed to make it significantly more difficult for the coin to be counterfeited.

Bullion mintage is unlimited; proofs are limited to a total of 5,000.

The series had been announced earlier, but its release was delayed until 27 September 2022 due to a period of mourning after the death of Queen Elizabeth II; her effigy is on the coins even though they were technically issued when King Charles III was already on the throne.