Australian Silver Lunar Rooster Coins
The Perth Mint's Year of the Rooster Silver Coins
The Perth Mint is a renowned Australian mint that produces a wide range of precious metal coins, including commemorative coins celebrating the Chinese zodiac. The Year of the Rooster is one of the annual releases in their Lunar Series II coin program, which began in 2008.
Here are some general features you might expect from the Perth Mint's Year of the Rooster silver coins:
- Design: The coins typically feature a design that represents the rooster, which is the zodiac animal associated with the specific lunar year. The design may vary from year to year, showcasing different artistic interpretations of the rooster.
- Precious Metal Content: The Perth Mint's Year of the Rooster coins are usually struck in .9999 fine silver, which means they contain 99.99% pure silver. The weight of the coins can vary, with popular sizes including 1 oz, 2 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz, and 1 kilogram.
- Legal Tender: The coins are often issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, meaning they carry a face value in Australian dollars. However, their actual value is typically based on the precious metal content (determined by the spot price of silver) and collector demand rather than the face value.
- Limited Mintage: The Perth Mint often releases their Lunar Series II coins with limited mintages, making them appealing to both bullion investors and collectors. Limited mintage numbers can vary depending on the size of the coin, but smaller denominations generally have lower mintages compared to larger ones.
- Packaging and Certificates: The coins are usually presented in protective capsules to preserve their condition. Some editions may come with special packaging, such as display cases or themed presentation cards. Additionally, a certificate of authenticity may accompany the coins, certifying their weight, purity, and limited mintage.
The Year of the Rooster
The Chinese Zodiac calendar, also known as Shengxiao, is a 12-year cycle that assigns an animal to each year. Each animal is believed to have specific characteristics and qualities that influence the personality traits of individuals born in that year.
The Year of the Rooster is one of the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac cycle. It is the tenth animal in the cycle, following the Year of the Monkey and preceding the Year of the Dog. The Rooster years occur in a repeating pattern, with each Year of the Rooster being separated by a 12-year gap.
The Year of the Rooster holds cultural significance in many East Asian countries, including China, where it is celebrated during the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). People born in the Year of the Rooster are believed to inherit some of the characteristics associated with the rooster and are said to share a special connection with this zodiac animal.
History of the Perth Mint
The Perth Mint is one of Australia's oldest operating mints and was established in 1899 as a branch of Britain's Royal Mint to refine gold discovered in Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields during the Gold Rush. The mint's primary purpose was to refine gold from Western Australia's mines and convert it into gold sovereigns, which were used as currency during that time.
In 1996, the Perth Mint launched the Lunar Series coin program, which celebrated the Chinese zodiac with annual releases of gold and silver coins featuring the zodiac animals. The Lunar Series gained immense popularity worldwide.
Today, the Perth Mint continues to produce a wide range of precious metal products, including bullion bars, coins, and other collectibles. It remains a prominent player in the global bullion and numismatic markets, known for its commitment to excellence and innovation in the minting industry.
