Lunar coins are British bullion coins issued by the Royal Mint in gold and silver since 2014. Each subsequent release commemorates Chinese New Year with an animal of the Chinese zodiac.
Video Lunar Series (British coin)
Year of the Horse 2014
Reverse
The reverse design consists of a galloping Horse set against the background of the pre-historic Uffington White Horse located in Oxfordshire. Lettering on the coin reads "YEAR OF THE HORSE · 2014"a plus details of the mass and metal content of the coin. The Chinese character for Horse (?) is displayed near the coin's centre.
Mule Version
In March 2014 it was reported that a number of 1oz bullion coins had mistakenly been struck with the incorrect die. Around 38,000 of the Lunar Horse coins were struck with an obverse intended for the Britannia series while 17,000 Britannia coin were stuck with the obverse for the Lunar series.
Maps Lunar Series (British coin)
Year of the Sheep 2015
The reverse design consists of a two Yorkshire Swaledale sheep facing each other and the background consists of a forest of tree.B As designer Wuon-Gean Ho explains "the ancient Chinese character for the word sheep looks a little bit like a tree" so the forest consists of a series of this character (?). This character is further displayed near the coin's center. Across the top lettering reads "YEAR OF THE SHEEP · 2015" plus details of the mass and metal content of the coin.
Year of the Monkey 2016
The reverse design features a leaping Rhesus monkey jumping forward from a tree with another money also jumping in the background. Lettering on the coin reads "YEAR OF THE MONKEY· 2016"A plus details of the mass and metal content of the coin. The Chinese character for Monkey (?) is displayed in the lower right of the coin.
Year of the Rooster 2017
The reverse design features a crowing rooster amongst ten sea thrift flowers, the number ten symbolising of perfection in Chinese culture. Lettering on the coin reads "YEAR OF THE ROOSTER · 2017"A plus details of the mass and metal content of the coin. The Chinese character for Rooster (?) is displayed near the coin's centre. Unlike the previous coins in the series the 2017 coin breaks the otherwise uniform smooth obverse design, opting for an obverse similar to that of the Britannia coin series.
Year of the Dog 2018
The reverse design features a leaping dog with the Chinese character (?) displayed near the coin's center.
Face Values
Mintage Figures
See also
- List of British banknotes and coins
- Coins of the pound sterling
- Royal Mint
- The Queen's Beasts (coin)
- Gold as an investment
- Silver as an investment
Notes
^A Coin mass and metal content are only displayed of bullion coins
^B This feature only appears on proof coins
References
Source of article : Wikipedia