Lunar Horse - inspired by the Chinese zodiac
The Australian Lunar coin series celebrates Chinese astrology and the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. The 12-year series features releases marking the Year of the Mouse (2008), the Ox (2009), the Tiger (2010), the Rabbit (2011), the Dragon (2012), the Serpent (2013), the Horse (2014), The Goat (2015), the Monkey (2016), the Rooster (2017), the Dog (2018) and the Pig (2019). The first edition of the Lunar series was minted from 1996 to 2007. Lunar Series II is being minted since 2008.
The Lunar Horse bullion coin has started to be minted by the Perth Mint in 2013 to celebrate 2014, the year in which the horse is celebrated. The horse is the seventh of 12 animals in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac and is believed to be the most free spirited of all signs, those born under its influence are said to be friendly and open-minded
This superb silver coin is a perfect gift for people born in the Year of the Horse - 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 and, of course, 2014-. People who were born in these years are said to be energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able.
The obverse of the Lunar Snake coin can be considered as classic for most of the Australian silver coins, with the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the nominal value and the inscriptions "ELIZABETH II", "AUSTRALIA", the year "2014" and " 999 SILVER", which is the fineness of each coin.
The reverse, as the name of this silver coin suggests, shows a horse motif, depicting two horses standing within a stylised Chinese landscape. The Chinese character for ‘horse’ can be read over the horses and the inscription ‘Year of the Horse’ along the bottom. The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ also appears in the design, to the right of the coin, over the river.
The Lunar Horse coin appeals to investors and collectors because of its extremely limited supply, the variety of denominations and their undeniable beauty.
The coin was issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965 and has a fine silver content of 99.9%.
The 2014 silver releases are available as individual 1 Kilo, 1oz and 1/2oz coins, or in a stunning three-coin set comprising a 2oz, 1oz and 1/2oz coin