Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2020 Year of the Mouse, Antique |
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The Australian two ounces silver piece (abbreviated as 2 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.
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 two-ounce silver antique coin with a face value of $2 was issued as 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).
The surface of the coin has been "antiqued" by hand to give it a unique finish conveying the abrasions of an ancient artefact. As a result of this treatment the appearance of each coin may vary. |
Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Total Mintage | 1,888 |
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Obverse | |
The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait" worldwide but "Sixth Portrait" in Australia, where the Queen's portrait by Vladimir Gottwald was fifth).
The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen mother) in 1937.
Unlike on British coinage, the effigy is "uncouped" (includes the Queen's shoulders). In small letters on the left, the artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously around the rim is the monarch's legend, the date of issue and the face value: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2oz 9999 Ag 2020 2 DOLLARS.
The inscription around the rim also incorporates the precious metal content. "2 oz 9999 Ag" means "two ounces of 99.99% silver" - Ag is abbreviated from the Latin word for silver, Argentum. |
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Reverse | |
The reverse design portrays two mice foraging on husks of corn. In the background, two other mice and two koalas.
The Perth Mint P mint mark is on the left. The designer's initials IJ (for Ing Ing Jong) are above left, behind the mouse's foot.
There is no inscription. |
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Reverse Inscription |
(none) |
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Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Silver content (Troy oz): 2.000 Finish: antique. Perth Mint Item ID: 3S2006CGAA Issue price: AU$ 230.00, US$ 164.71
The coin is presented in a classic black display case with a clear lid. The case is packaged in a beautifully illustrated shipper and accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. When arranged together, this and shippers of future coins in the 12-year Australian Lunar Series III will form a diorama depicting the ancient myth of The Great Race involving each animal in the zodiac. |
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See also |
Year of the Mouse 2020 coins issued by the Perth Mint include: - Australia, Platinum Ounce ($100) Proof, Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Gold Ten Ounces ($1000), Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Gold Two Ounces ($200), Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Gold Ounce ($100) High Relief, Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Gold Ounce ($100), Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Gold Half Ounce ($50), Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Gold Quarter Ounce ($25), Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Gold Tenth-Ounce ($15), Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Gold Twentieth-Ounce ($5), Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Silver Ten Kilos ($300), Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Silver Kilo ($30), Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Silver Five Ounces ($8) High Relief, Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Silver Five Ounces ($8) Bullion with coloured version, Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Silver Two Ounces ($2) Antique, Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Silver Two Ounces ($2) Coloured, Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Silver Two Ounces ($2) with coloured version, Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Silver Ounce ($1) with Opal, Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Silver Ounce ($1) High Relief, Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Silver Ounce ($1) with coloured and gilded versions, Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Silver Half Ounce (50c) with coloured version, Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Silver Quarter Ounce (25c) coloured, Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Silver Quarter Ounce (25c) coloured - China design, Year of the Mouse 2020 - Australia, Aluminium Bronze $1 in Year of the Mouse 2020 PNC - Tuvalu, Silver Half Ounce (50 cents), Baby Mouse - Tuvalu, Aluminium Bronze $1, Tom and Jerry (Year of the Mouse)
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