Gold Quarter Ounce 2012 Year of the Dragon, Coin from France - detailed information

Gold Quarter Ounce 2012 Year of the Dragon, Coin from France
CoinGold Quarter Ounce 2012 Year of the Dragon

Like many other mints, Monnaie de Paris (the Paris Mint) issues coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The quarter ounce (1/4 oz) gold coins are denominated as 50€ (Fifty Euro), and as such are only legal tender in France and not in the whole Eurozone - only the regular circulating coins from 1 Euro Cent to 2 Euro are legal tender in all member countries, while all other denominations are legal tender in the issuing country only.

Some of these coins are issued around the theme of the Chinese Lunar Calendar - a zodiac with a twelve-year cycle in which every year is associated with one of twelve different animals.

This coin is dedicated to the Chinese 2012 Year of the Dragon (23 January 2012 to 9 February 2013).

MintParis Mint Mint MarkCornucopia Total Mintage 1,000
Obverse
France / Gold Quarter Ounce 2012 Year of the Dragon - obverse photo

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 50 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".

Obverse Inscription Fables de la Fontaine 50 EURO 2012
Reverse
France / Gold Quarter Ounce 2012 Year of the Dragon - reverse photo

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

Above right, the Chinese character for dragon, ; 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

Reverse Inscription 龙 2012 Année du Dragon 法兰西共和国 RF
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

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

See also

Coins issued by the Paris Mint to mark the Lunar Year of the Dragon 2012 include:
- 5 oz Gold Proof (€500), Year of the Dragon 2012
- 1 oz Gold Proof (€200), Year of the Dragon 2012
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof (€50), Year of the Dragon 2012
- 22 g Silver Proof (€10), Year of the Dragon 2012

All (19) coins of type: Gold Quarter Ounce (1/4 oz)
Coin NameMintageLegend
Gold Quarter Ounce 2007 Year of the Pig 500 Fables de la Fontaine 10 EURO 2007
Gold Quarter Ounce 2008 Year of the Rat 500 Fables de la Fontaine 10 EURO 2008
Gold Quarter Ounce 2009 Year of the Ox 497 Année du Boeuf 牛 2009 RF
Gold Quarter Ounce 2010 Year of the Tiger 500 Année du Tigre 虎 2010 RF
Gold Quarter Ounce 2011 Year of the Rabbit 500 兔 Année du Lapin 2011 RF
Gold Quarter Ounce 2012 Year of the Dragon 1,000 龙 2012 Année du Dragon 法兰西共和国 RF
Gold Quarter Ounce 2013 Year of the Snake 778 蛇 Année du Serpent 2013 RF
Gold Quarter Ounce 2014 Year of the Horse 693 馬 Année du Cheval 2014 RF
Gold Quarter Ounce 2015 Year of the Goat 500 羊 2015 Année de la Chèvre RF
Gold Quarter Ounce 2016 Year of the Monkey 500 猴 2016 Année du Singe RF
Gold Quarter Ounce 2017 Year of the Rooster 500 鸡 2017 Année du Coq RF
Gold Quarter Ounce 2018 Year of the Dog 500 50 EURO RF CALENDRIER CHINOIS
Gold Quarter Ounce 2019 Year of the Pig 888 50 EURO RF CALENDRIER CHINOIS
Gold Quarter Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat 888 50 EURO RF CALENDRIER CHINOIS
Gold Quarter Ounce 2021 Year of the Buffalo 888 50 EURO RF CALENDRIER CHINOIS
Gold Quarter Ounce 2022 Year of the Tiger 888 50 EURO RF CALENDRIER CHINOIS
Gold Quarter Ounce 2023 Year of the Rabbit 888 50 EURO RF CALENDRIER CHINOIS
Gold Quarter Ounce 2024 Year of the Dragon 888 50 EURO RF CALENDRIER CHINOIS
Gold Quarter Ounce 2025 Year of the Snake 888 50 EURO RF CALENDRIER CHINOIS
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Gold Quarter Ounce 2012 Year of the Dragon: Details
CountryFrance
CurrencyEuro, France
Coin TypeGold Quarter Ounce, Lunar
Issued2012
Face Value50 (x Euro, France)
Total Mintage1,000
CurrentYes
Material0.920 Gold
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size22.0000 mm
Mass8.4500 g
OCC IDGAVP-OXAC-JBWM-EMDY
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Gold Quarter Ounce 2012 Year of the Dragon: Photos
ImageDetails
Gold Quarter Ounce 2012 Year of the Dragon: Photo 2012 1/4 oz Proof Gold €50 Year of the Dragon Lunar Series / thumbnail 2012 1/4 oz Proof Gold €50 Year of the Dragon Lunar Series
Copyright: APMEX
Source
Gold Quarter Ounce 2012 Year of the Dragon: Photo 2012 1/4 oz Proof Gold €50 Year of the Dragon Lunar Series / thumbnail 2012 1/4 oz Proof Gold €50 Year of the Dragon Lunar Series
Copyright: APMEX
Source
Gold Quarter Ounce 2012 Year of the Dragon: Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsFrance KM# 1925