The Australian one ounce silver piece (abbreviated as 1 oz and designated with Ag for "silver") is a bullion and commemorative 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 1994 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 one-ounce silver coin with a face value of $1 was issued as part of the Lunar Series of coins to mark the Chinese Year of the Ox (12 February 2021 - 31 January 2022).
The Mint says:
"2021 marks the Lunar Year of the Ox and to celebrate, the Royal Australian Mint proudly presents the second Lunar Investment coin series. These coins are presented with a brilliant uncirculated finish and feature a bold bull, representing the hard working and honest characteristics of those born in the Year of the Ox."
The coins were issued in Brilliant Uncirculated grade, Royal Australian Mint Product Code: 10643. |
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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, the date of issue and the face value: ELIZABETH II · AUSTRALIA 2021 · 1 DOLLAR ·.
The effigy, legend and face value are in a small circle, surrounded by a decorative border.
Around the rim outside that circle, the twelve animals of the Lunar Calendar walking counter-clockwise: rat, pig, dog, rooster, monkey, goat, horse, snake, dragon, rabbit, tiger and an ox; the ox is on top. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin shows at its centre an ox, with willow branches above enclosing a crescent-shaped clear space with the inscriptions.
Above right, the Chinese character for "ox" 牛 (pronounced niú under the Pinyin system) and, on four lines, the inscription YEAR OF THE OX.
Below that, the precious metal content: 1 oz .999 Ag (one ounce of 99.9% silver; Ag is abbreviated from the Latin "Argentum" and is used internationally on silver bullion coinage).
The designer's initials BK (for Bronwyn King) are to the right.
The face value and the date of issue are on the obverse. |
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