Lunar Series (British coin)

For the coin series minted by China, see Chinese lunar coins.

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.

Year of the Sheep (Gold)
United Kingdom
Value 100 pounds sterling
Mass 31.21 g
Diameter 32.69 mm
Thickness 2.7 mm
Edge Milled
Composition .9999 fine gold
Years of minting 2016
Obverse
Design Queen Elizabeth II
Designer Jody Clark
Reverse
Design Sheep
Designer Wuon-Gean Ho
Design date 2016

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.[1] 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 (馬) 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.[2]

Year of the Sheep 2015

Reverse

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 (羊).[3] 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

Reverse

The reverse design features a leaping Rhesus monkey jumping forward from a tree with another money also jumping in the background.[4] 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 (猴) 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.[5] 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 (雞) 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.[6]

Mintage Figures

Year Released Obverse Reverse 1 ozt Gold[7] 1/4 ozt Gold 1/10 ozt Gold 1 ozt Silver[8]
2014 Queen Elizabeth II Horse 30,000 n/a n/a 300,000
2015 Queen Elizabeth II Sheep 8,888 5,000[9] unknown 188,888
2016 Queen Elizabeth II Monkey 8,888 ? unknown 138,888
2017 Queen Elizabeth II Rooster TBA ? TBA TBA

See also

Notes

^A Coin mass and metal content are only displayed of bullion coins
^B This feature only appears on proof coins

References

  1. ↑ Ho, Wuon-Gean. "Lunar Coin Commission for The Royal Mint". wuongean.com. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  2. ↑ "2014 Royal Mint Year of the Horse Silver Bullion Coin". 24carat.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  3. ↑ The 2015 Lunar Year of the Sheep UK Coins from The Royal Mint. YouTube. 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  4. ↑ The 2015 Lunar Year of the Sheep UK Coins from The Royal Mint. YouTube. 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  5. ↑ "Lunar Year of the Rooster 2017 UK Five Ounce Gold Proof Coin". Royal Mint. Royal Mint. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  6. ↑ "The Royal Mint 2017 Lunar Year of the Rooster Coins". chards.co.uk. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  7. ↑ "Gold Bullion Coins". GoldLine.co.uk. Baird & Co. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  8. ↑ "Silver Bullion Coins". GoldLine.co.uk. Baird & Co. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  9. ↑ "2015 Great Britain 1/4 oz Gold Year of the Sheep BU". APMEX. APMEX. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
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