Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2023 Chinese Myths and Legends - Dragon and Koi |
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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 coin with a face value of $2 was issued as part of the Perth Mint's extensive Chinese Myths and Legends range dedicated to Chinese traditional themes, and features a Dragon and a Koi Fish.
The mint says about it: In Chinese mythology, the dragon is a divine creature and an auspicious symbol of power, strength, wealth, and good fortune. Throughout East Asia and beyond, koi are synonymous with harmony and happiness, and are also said to be lucky omens for marriage and fertility. |
Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Mintage Limit |
(1,000 )
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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The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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 1952 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA 2023 · 2oz 9999 Ag 2 DOLLARS ·.
The inscription around the rim also incorporates the precious metal content. "2 oz 9999 Ag" means "two troy ounces of 99.99% silver" - Ag is abbreviated from the Latin word for silver, Argentum.
The legend is interrupted by the "memorial" inclusion of the dates of the Queen's reign, 1952 - 2022. |
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Reverse | |
The coin portrays a dragon and koi eyeing a flame-ringed pearl, an ancient embodiment of wisdom. Also in the design is a "moon bridge" - its high arch and reflection on the water creating the shape of the lunar body often associated with purity or perfection.
The Perth Mint’s P mint mark is above right. Near the rim on the right, the designer's initials WR, for Wade Robinson.
There is no inscription. |
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Reverse Inscription |
(none) |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Silver Content (Troy oz): 2.000 Finish: Proof FDC, high relief, concave surfaces Packaging: in a classic display case within a themed shipper, accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. Perth Mint SKU: 23N24AAA. Release date: 14 August 2023. Release price: AU$ 269.00, US$ 139.95.
The coins were issued during the reign of King Charles III; however, as his effigy was not expected to be approved for use in Australia until late in the year, they feature a "memorial" obverse with the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the dates of her reign, 1952 - 2022. |
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See also |
Coins in the Chinese Myths and Legends series include: - 2 oz Gold Proof High Relief, Dragon and Phoenix, 2017 - 1 oz Silver Bullion, Dragon and Phoenix, 2017 - 1 oz Silver Proof High Relief, Dragon and Phoenix, 2017 - 2 oz Gold Proof High Relief, Dragon and Tiger, 2018 - 1 oz Gold Bullion, Dragon and Phoenix, 2018 - 1 oz Gold Bullion Rectangle, Dragon, 2018 - 2 oz Silver Proof High Relief, Dragon and Tiger, 2018 - 2 oz Silver Antique Figure Eight, Two Dragons, 2018 - 1 oz Silver (Bullion and Proof), Dragon and Phoenix, 2018 - 1 oz Silver Bullion, Dragon and Tiger, 2018 - 1 oz Silver Bullion Rectangle, Dragon, 2018 - 1 oz Platinum Bullion, Dragon, 2019 - 2 oz Gold Proof High Relief, Double Dragon, 2019 - 1 oz Gold Proof, Dragon, 2019 - 1 oz Gold Bullion, Dragon and Tiger, 2019 - 1 oz Gold Bullion Rectangle, Dragon, 2019 - 10 oz Silver Bullion, Dragon and Phoenix, 2019 - 2 oz Silver Proof High Relief, Double Dragon, 2019 - 2 oz Silver Antique Figure Eight, Two Koi Fish, 2019 - 1 oz Silver Bullion, Double Dragon, 2019 - 1 oz Silver Proof, Dragon and Tiger, 2019 - 1 oz Silver Bullion Rectangle, Dragon, 2019 - 2 oz Gold Proof High Relief, Double Pixiu, 2020 - 1 oz Gold Bullion, Double Dragon, 2020 - 1 oz Gold Proof, Dragon, 2020 - 1 oz Gold Bullion Rectangle, Two Dragons, 2020 - 10 oz Silver Bullion, Dragon and Tiger, 2020 - 2 oz Silver Antique Figure Eight, Dragon and Phoenix, 2020 - 2 oz Silver Proof High Relief, Double Pixiu, 2020 - 1 oz Silver Proof, Double Dragon, 2020 - 1 oz Silver Bullion Rectangle, Two Dragons, 2020 - 1 oz Silver Bullion, Double Pixiu, 2020 - 2 oz Gold Proof High Relief, Dragon, 2021 - 1 oz Gold Proof, Dragon, 2021 - 1 oz Gold Bullion, Double Pixiu, 2021 - 1 oz Gold Bullion Rectangle, Dragon, 2021 - 10 oz Silver Bullion, Double Dragon, 2021 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Double Pixiu, 2021 - 2 oz Silver Proof High Relief, Dragon, 2021 - 1 oz Silver Bullion (with coloured version), Dragon, 2021 - 1 oz Silver Bullion Rectangle, Dragon, 2021 - 1 oz Platinum Proof, Dragon, 2022 - 2 oz Gold Proof High Relief, Phoenix, 2022 - 1 oz Gold Bullion, Dragon, 2022 - 1 oz Gold Bullion Rectangle, Dragon, 2022 - 1 oz Gold Proof, Dragon, 2022 - 2 kg Silver Antique, Dragon and Tiger, 2022 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Dragon, 2022 - 1 oz Silver Bullion (with coloured version), Phoenix, 2022 - 1 oz Silver Bullion Rectangle, Dragon, 2022 - 1 oz Platinum Reverse Proof, Phoenix, 2023 - 1 oz Gold Proof, Dragon, 2023 - 1 oz Gold Bullion, Phoenix, 2023 - 1 oz Gold Proof Ultra High Relief, Dragon and Koi, 2023 - 1 oz Gold Bullion Rectangle, Dragon, 2023 - 2 kg Silver Antique, Koi Fish, 2023 - 2 oz Silver Proof High Relief, Phoenix, 2022 - 2 oz Silver Proof High Relief, Dragon and Koi, 2023 - 1 oz Silver Bullion, Dragon and Koi, 2023 - 1 oz Silver Bullion Rectangle, Dragon, 2023 - 1 oz Silver Antique, Phoenix, 2023 - 1 oz Gold Bullion, Dragon and Koi, 2024 - 1 oz Gold Proof, Dragon, 2024 - 1 oz Gold Bullion Rectangle, Dragon, 2024 - 1 oz Silver Bullion Rectangle, Dragon, 2024
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