Silver Two Ounces 2020 Year of the Mouse, Antique, Coin from Australia - detailed information

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The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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.

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.

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.