Silver Half Ounce 2024 Year of the Dragon, 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 1952 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA · 1/2oz 9999 Ag 50 CENTS ·.

The legend is interrupted by the "memorial" inclusion of the dates of the Queen's reign, 1952 - 2022.

The inscription around the rim also incorporates the precious metal content. "1/2oz 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 a Chinese mythical dragon facing the viewer, with stylised waves and fog - allusions to its control of the elements, and a flaming pearl of wisdom.

Below it, the Chinese character for "dragon": 龍, below which DRAGON and 2024.

The mint mark of the Perth Mint is below right; instead of the traditional P, it is P125, celebrating the 125th anniversary of the mint. The designer's initials IJ (for Ing Ing Jong) are 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: 3S2406EAAX.
Release date: 6 November 2023.

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.

The coin was issued during the reign of King Charles III, but has the Queen Elizabeth II memorial effigy on the obverse.