Gold Five Ounces 2015 Year of the Sheep, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Gold Five Ounces 2015 Year of the Sheep, Coin from United Kingdom
CoinGold Five Ounces 2015 Year of the Sheep

Like many other mints, the Royal Mint issues bullion coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The five ounces (5 oz) gold coins are denominated as either ten pounds (£10) or five hundred pounds (£500).

The coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation. They are targeted at bullion investors or collectors who appreciate the special editions as pieces of art. The coins are typically "one-year" types usually issued in parallel with smaller denominations with the same reverse designs.

The 2015 Year of the Sheep bullion coins are the second issue in the Royal Mint's Shēngxiào Collection - a coin series dedicated to the Chinese Lunar calendar.

As the mint says:
"For centuries The Royal Mint has drawn upon its unrivalled heritage, experience, and craftsmanship to evolve and meet the needs of an ever-changing market. In 2014 we struck the United Kingdom’s first Chinese Lunar coins, introducing a new series and a United Kingdom first. The Shēngxiào Collection, named to honour the Chinese zodiac, is a celebration of the UK’s diverse multi-cultural society. At Chinese New Year, gifts and tokens are exchanged, particularly the gift of money in red envelopes, symbolising good wishes for the recipient’s health, wealth and prosperity. These Lunar coins from The Royal Mint embrace this globally observed tradition, lending a unique British angle to an ancient tradition."

The design of the 2015 Year of the Sheep coins skilfully uses symbolic elements to create a fusion of Chinese and British heritage. Ancient Chinese symbols for the word "sheep" form tree outlines in the background (of the proof version only), whilst two distinctive Yorkshire Swaledale sheep face each other in the foreground. The intricate details of the design highlight their beautiful curled horns in contrast to the swirls of their wool coats.

The 5oz gold coins were issued boxed, in Proof FDC grade only.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 26
Visit the Royal Mint web site for the latest coin releases Visit the Royal Mint web site for the latest coin releases
(affiliate ad)
Obverse

The obverse of the coins shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.

In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).

Around the effigy is the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH ' II ' D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 500 ' POUNDS '. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH ' II ' D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 500 ' POUNDS '
Reverse
United Kingdom / Gold Five Ounces 2015 Year of the Sheep - reverse photo

The reverse design combines elements from both British and Chinese heritage. In the foreground of the design two Yorkshire Swaledale sheep with distinctive curled horns face each other, symbolising family and friendship.

In the background, ancient Chinese symbols for the word "sheep" - 羊- form tree outlines.

Around above, the inscription YEAR OF THE SHEEP · 2015.

Between the two sheep, the Chinese character for "sheep": .

Reverse Inscription YEAR OF THE SHEEP · 2015 羊
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

While other mints issued "Year of the Goat" coins, the Royal Mint decided to go with "Year of the Sheep". Both animals are recognised as the eighth in the lunar calendar cycle.

Advertising
Royal Mint
Royal Mint
Gold Five Ounces 2015 Year of the Sheep: References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Royal Mint Mintage link
See also

The reverse design was issued in the following formats:
- 5oz gold
- 1oz gold
- 1/4oz gold
- 1/10oz gold
- 5oz silver
- 1oz silver

All (95) coins of type: Gold Five Ounces (5 oz)
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Gold Five Ounces 2012 London Olympics 193 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G · REG F · D · TEN POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2012 Diamond Jubilee 140 ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · TEN POUNDS
Gold Five Ounces 2013 Britannia 61 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH ' II ' D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 500 ' POUNDS '
Gold Five Ounces 2013 Coronation Anniversary 74 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G · REG · F · D TEN POUNDS · 2013
Gold Five Ounces 2013 Prince George Christening 48 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G · REG F · D · TEN POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2014 WW1 - Outbreak 36 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G · REG F · D TEN POUNDS
Gold Five Ounces 2014 Britannia 75 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH ' II ' D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 500 ' POUNDS '
Gold Five Ounces 2015 Year of the Sheep 26 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH ' II ' D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 500 ' POUNDS '
Gold Five Ounces 2015 Churchill 48 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G · REG · F · D 10 POUNDS · 2015
Gold Five Ounces 2015 World War One 17 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS · 2015 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2015 Longest Reigning Monarch 180 Queen Elizabeth II - Portrait by James Butler ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D · TEN POUNDS · 2015
Gold Five Ounce 2015 Princess Charlotte Christening unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2015 Britannia 60 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2016 Year of the Monkey (38) Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2016 WW1 - Poetry and Language (30) Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS · 2016 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2016 Queen's 90th Birthday 170 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS · 2016 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2016 Shakespeare 50 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2016 Britannia 64 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2017 Year of the Rooster 35 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2017 Platinum Wedding 115 ELIZABETH II D G REG F D · PHILIP PRINCEPS · TEN POUNDS
Gold Five Ounces 2017 Sapphire Jubilee 110 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2017 WW1 Centenary 27 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS · 2017 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2017 Lion of England 100 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2017 Unicorn of Scotland 75 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2017 Britannia 106 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2018 Britannia 69 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2018 Year of the Dog 34 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounce 2018 Four Generations 67 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2018 Sapphire Jubilee 82 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2018 Armistice unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2018 Red Dragon of Wales 90 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2018 Black Bull of Clarence 70 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2019 Britannia 60 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2019 Year of the Pig 38 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2019 Legend of the Ravens 21 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS · 2019 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2019 Ceremony of the Keys 29 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS · 2019 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2019 Yeoman Warders 23 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS · 2019 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2019 Crown Jewels 33 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS · 2019 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2019 Una and the Lion 65 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2019 Victoria and Albert 70 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS · 2019 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2019 Falcon of the Plantagenets 71 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2019 Yale of Beaufort 60 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2020 Year of the Rat 28 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2020 Britannia 50 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2020 King George III 45 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2020 James Bond 63 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2020 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2020 End of World War Two 34 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2020 White Lion of Mortimer 60 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2020 White Horse of Hanover 59 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2020 The Three Graces 160 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2020 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2020 Music Legends - Queen 50 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2020 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2020 Music Legends - Elton John 50 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2020 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2020 Music Legends - David Bowie 60 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2020 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2021 Year of the Ox 28 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2021 Britannia 80 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2021 Queen's 95th Birthday 149 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS · 2021 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2021 Prince Philip 29 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2021 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2021 Alfred the Great 45 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2021 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2021 White Greyhound of Richmond 59 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2021 Griffin of Edward III 116 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2021 The Queen's Beasts Completer Coin 150 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2021 Music Legends - The Who 46 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2021 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2021 Gothic Crown 175 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2021 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2021 Queen Victoria - Gothic 166 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2021 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 Year of the Tiger 118 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 Britannia 74 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 Duke of Cambridge Birthday 24 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2022 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 Platinum Jubilee 129 Equestrian Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2022 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 The Seymour Panther 58 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 The Lion of England 20 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 British Monarchs - King Henry VII 45 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2022 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 British Monarchs - King James I 40 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2022 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 British Monarchs - King George I 28 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2022 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 British Monarchs - King Edward VII 29 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2022 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 Music Legends - The Rolling Stones 21 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2022 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 Vera Lynn 30 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2022 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 City Views - London 50 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2022 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 City Views - Rome 23 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2022 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2022 In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II 204 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2022 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2023 Year of the Rabbit (138) Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2023 The Yale of Beaufort (56) Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·
Gold Five Ounces 2023 Britannia 90 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2023 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2023 British Monarchs - King Henry VIII 27 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2023 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2023 British Monarchs - King Charles I 26 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2023 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2023 The Bull of Clarence 26 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2023 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2023 Petition Crown - Reverse 131 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2023 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2023 Petition Crown - Obverse 131 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2023 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2023 King Charles III Coronation 106 King Charles III - First Crowned Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2023 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2023 The Lion and The Eagle 31 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2023 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2024 Year of the Dragon (138) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2024 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2024 Waterloo Medal (40) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2024 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2024 The Seymour Unicorn (26) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2024 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2024 City Views - Paris (31) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2024 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2025 Year of the Snake (138) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2025 ·
Gold Five Ounces 2025 Waterloo Medal (40) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2025 ·
Advertising
Family-run store trading in rare coins and bullion, plus jewellery design and sales
Family-run store trading in rare coins and bullion, plus jewellery design and sales
My Collection
Please sign up and/or log in.
You will then be able to manage your collection and record whether you have or want this coin.
Gold Five Ounces 2015 Year of the Sheep: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling
Coin TypeGold Five Ounces (5 oz)
Issued2015
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait, by Ian Rank-Broadley
Face Value500 (x Pound)
Total Mintage26
CurrentYes
Material0.9999 Gold
DesignerWuon-Gean Ho
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size50.0000 mm
Mass156.2950 g
OCC IDMXKD-EKQC-RBYM-EWQJ
Share or Bookmark this Page
Gold Five Ounces 2015 Year of the Sheep: Catalogue Reference IDs