Gold Five Ounces 2012 Year of the Dragon, Coin from France - detailed information

The obverse of the coin depicts the famous French writer Jean de La Fontaine (1621 - 1695), who is best known for his "Fables" which feature many animals as story characters. On the right, the silhouettes of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac: snake, tiger, monkey, dog, horse, goat, dragon, ox, mouse, rooster, pig, and rabbit.

Around above left, the inscription Fables de la Fontaine.

Above the animals, the face value 500 EURO. In the exergue, the date of issue 2012.

To the left of the date, the Cornucopia privy mark of the Paris Mint. On the right, the personal privy mark of the Chief Engraver of the mint Yves Sampo - a pentagon rosette with stylised letters ag mp ys, for "Atelier de Gravure", "Monnaie de Paris" and "Yves Sampo".

The reverse design depicts a Chinese mythical dragon, surrounded by clouds - a symbol of its celestial origin.

Above right, the Chinese character for dragon, 龙; below right, the date 2012.

Around right, the inscription Année du Dragon (Year of the dragon).

In larger letters around the rim on the right, overlaid on the clouds, 法兰西共和国 - "French Republic" in Chinese.

On the cloud near the rim below, RF, abbreviated from "République Française" - French Republic

Finish: proof.
Packaging: in presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.