Silver Quarter Ounce 2020 Year of the Mouse, Coin from Australia - detailed information

The Australian quarter ounce silver piece (abbreviated as 1/4 oz and designated with Ag for "silver") is a bullion and commemorative coin format; it has face value of 25 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.

Both mints endeavour to create coins with attractive designs, and to introduce new designs and themes often, in order to raise the numismatic value of the coins over the value of previous metal used.

This quarter-ounce silver coin with a face value of 25 cents was issued as a Sydney Money Expo Special and is part of the Perth Mint's Lunar Series III to mark the Chinese Year of the Mouse, 25 January 2020 - 11 February 2021 (also called Year of the Rat).

First issued in 1995 and now in its third round, the long-running Australian Lunar Coin Series celebrates the animals of the Chinese zodiac with a sequence of annual designs portraying the mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The mouse is the first animal in the cycle.

The Mint says about this coin:
A special release for this year’s Sydney Money Expo, which ran from 26 - 27 October, this stunning 1/4oz coloured silver coin marks the 2020 Year of the Mouse. Those born under the sign of the Chinese lunar mouse in 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972 and every 12th preceding year are said to be smart, resourceful, adaptable and kind. Possessing a rich imagination and strong intuition, mice rely on quick wits and an enterprising nature to find opportunity for success in almost all endeavours.